SANTIAGO. It was not known yesterday whether Chile’s voters in tomorrow’s referendum would approve a proposal to change the country’s constitution, adopted by the military dictatorship of General Pinochet in 1973. The initiative claims that their opponents’ disinformation campaign has confused the electorate.

80% want change

80% of voters called for a new constitution in October 2020, with members of the constituent assembly due to be elected a year later. The change in the constitution was seen as an effective method of dealing with popular anger, which first manifested itself in student demonstrations and protests against the increase in transport fares.

However, recent polls show that a majority of Chileans will reject a constitutional text that enshrines gender equality, environmental protection and the rights of indigenous peoples. “This referendum is the most important election in Chile’s history,” says Gaspar Dominguez, a 33-year-old doctor who was a member of the constituent assembly and insists the polls are wrong and voters will approve the deal. “If we fail, the blame will fall on those who spread the lies,” he says.

In an attempt to allay fears, the country’s left-wing president and proponent of the new constitution, Gabriel Boric, has publicly pledged to change articles and sections of the constitution that are unclear or considered too contentious. The 36-year-old president’s popularity has plummeted since taking office in March.

Modernization process

“In recent years, Chile has been experiencing a period of rebirth and recovery, when the political and economic system is being questioned. Even if the constitutional reform is defeated in a referendum, the process of social modernization cannot be stopped,” says university professor Robert Funk.