Santiago de Chile: The Chilean Senate will say today the last word on whether or not to approve a constitutional reform to postpone until May 15 and 16 the elections that were to be held on April 10 and 11, Prensa Latina publishes.
Unless some unexpected inconvenience arises, it is taken for granted that the upper house will approve the initiative, especially when its debate has been carried out in a true against the clock in view of the proximity of the elections.
The day before, in a prolonged session, the plenary session of the Chamber of Deputies approved the reform by a large majority, which was announced on Sunday by President Sebastián Piñera.
At that time, the president argued the need to postpone the consultation at the polls due to the critical situation in the country due to the Covid-19 pandemic, in a second wave that has generated an explosion of new infections and the deterioration of health indicators.
The legislators gave the go-ahead to this measure by 126 votes in favor, three against and 11 abstentions and the votes of various indications that were negotiated between the different benches and the government in order to reach an agreement were also carried out as fast as possible.
Among these, it was agreed to paralyze the ongoing electoral campaign until April 28, to maintain the suspension of their functions for the mayors who are candidates for reelection and that the presidential and parliamentary primaries be held on July 18.
All these matters must also be endorsed by the senators.
Weeks ago, the debate on a postponement of the important elections of governors, mayors, councilors and delegates to the convention that will draft the new Constitution began to gain strength in the country, at the proposal especially of the Medical College and other health institutions due to the critical health situation.
However, the government’s delay in accepting this measure, generated strong criticism in political sectors of all tendencies and professional unions, which also called for the deployment of forceful health measures that allow to effectively stop the advance of Covid-19.
Otherwise, they warn, no one can guarantee that in May there will be better sanitary condition to hold the elections.
Likewise, they demanded that the government implement more effective and universal aid to families so that they can face the extensive quarantines established in almost the entire country, under which more than 80 percent of Chile’s population is currently living. (BSH)