Chilean voters reject proposed constitution

By James Blears

With nearly all the referendum votes counted, almost 56 percent said a resounding 'no' to the amended Constitution, intended to replace the one created during the 1973-1990 dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet.

Sunday's vote resulted in the second unsuccessful attempt at reform in a year.

In rejecting the reform, the Pinochet-era Constitution will remain intact, until a better version finds favor with Chile's electorate.

Ex-President Michelle Bachelet said, "I prefer something bad to something worse."

One clause that raised political hackles was a proposal for prisoners suffering from terminal illnesses who are not deemed to be a threat to society to be granted house arrest.

Many voters refused to accept this in any shape or form, because, as critics say, it would often apply to those convicted of torture and genocide during the Pinochet era.

The current and younger generations are much more concerned about a crime wave encircling major cities, with which they say authorities have failed to come to grips.

Voting is compulsory in Chile, and there have been ten elections in less than three years.

The Chilean electorate has grown weary of turning out because law-abiding citizens cannot opt out.