more than 500,000 foreigners will be able to vote for a plebiscite

The Chilean Electoral Service (SERVEL) reported that more than 500,000 foreigners are authorized in Chile to vote the next plebiscite of departure to approve or reject a new Constitution.

“The definitive register contemplates 514,623 foreign voters, which represent 3.4% of the total voter register,” says a statement from the entity.

The figures show a significant growth of foreigners in the register: it has gone from 378,829 for the 2020 National Plebiscite, to 414,920 in May 2021, to 449,919 in November 2021 and to 514,623 today. The increase in the Register of Foreigners between November 2021 and now has been 64,704 voters, “he adds.

The countries with the most foreigners authorized to vote are Peru, with 167,348; Colombia, with 68,432, and Bolivia, with 54,409. Meanwhile, the nationalities with the greatest increase in the electoral roll from the May 2020 elections to date are Haiti and Venezuela, which rose 412% and 384%, respectively.

It should be noted that foreigners who will be able to vote are those who have lived in the country for more than five years, must be over 18 years of age and not be sentenced to criminal offenses (or accused of such crimes) or terrorist behavior.

Some 15 million Chileans will have to vote on September 4 to accept or reject the new Magna Cartaalready presented to President Gabriel Boric, after the Constitutionalist Convention drafted the new social pact of the South American country.

Connect with the Voice of America! Subscribe to our channel Youtube and turn on notifications, or follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.