The initiative received 13 votes for and 11 against and did not reach three-fifths of votes for its approval.

Its promoters consider that a specific section for the Armed Forces, Carabineros (Chilean Police officers), and Investigative Police is necessary. Those institutions must often act in defense of the nation and internal security.

The constitutional index formed 15 chapters, including fundamental rights and freedoms, Government and State Administration, National Congress, Judiciary, Constitutional Court, Electoral Justice, and Environmental Protection.

The group started its works on March 6 and has three months to submit a draft of the new Constitution to the Constitutional Council by a popular and mandatory vote on May 7.

This council will discuss and approve the proposed fundamental law before being submitted to a referendum on December 17.

If approved, it will replace the neoliberal Constitution imposed by the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, who took power after the 1973 coup d’état.

jrr/iff/jha/car