1989 Chilean constitutional referendum

A constitutional referendum was held in Chile on 30 July 1989 to approve a series of amendments to the 1980 Constitution.[1][2] The proposed changes were overwhelmingly supported, with 91% of voters in favor.[3]

1989 Chilean constitutional referendum
30 July 1989 (1989-07-30)
Original ballot
Results
Choice
Votes %
Yes 6,069,440 91.26%
No 581,615 8.74%
Valid votes 6,651,055 93.91%
Invalid or blank votes 431,024 6.09%
Total votes 7,082,079 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 7,556,613 93.72%
Source: Direct Democracy

Background

edit

Following the defeat of General Augusto Pinochet in the 1988 plebiscite, where Chileans voted against extending his rule, Pinochet and opposition forces agreed to revise the 1980 Constitution.

The referendum sought to implement 54 constitutional reforms. Key amendments included changes to the procedures for amending the Constitution, limitations on emergency powers, recognition of political pluralism, and the strengthening of constitutional rights and democratic principles, including broader participation in political life.

The government and nearly all political parties supported the reforms. However, the right-wing Party of the South and the Chilean Socialist Party (not to be confused with the Socialist Party of Chile) opposed the changes, advocating for a "No" vote.

Results

edit
ChoiceVotes%
For6,069,44091.26
Against581,6158.74
Total6,651,055100.00
Valid votes6,651,05593.91
Invalid/blank votes431,0246.09
Total votes7,082,079100.00
Registered voters/turnout7,556,61393.72
Source: Chilean Electoral Service

By region

edit
Region For Against
Votes % Votes %
I Tarapacá 147,660 92.67 11,681 7.33
II Antofagasta 179,540 91.88 15,780 8.12
III Atacama 90,123 89.41 10,670 10.59
IV Coquimbo 201,925 88.49 26,269 11.51
V Valparaíso 666,412 92.52 53,907 7.48
VI O'Higgins 321,780 90.33 34,456 9.67
VII Maule 382,577 89.12 46,720 10.88
VIII Biobío 774,111 89.32 92,564 10.68
IX Araucanía 322,120 85.21 55,889 14.79
X Los Lagos 404,110 88.46 52,713 11.54
XI Aysén 32,473 89.69 3733 10.31
XII Magallanes 71,805 92.03 6222 7.97
RM Metropolitana 2,474,804 93.54 170,913 6.46
Total 6,069,440 91.25 581,615 8.74

References

edit
  1. ^ "Constitutional history of Chile".
  2. ^ Dieter Nohlen (2005) Elections in the Americas: A data handbook, Volume II, p262 ISBN 978-0-19-928358-3
  3. ^ Nohlen, p268