Chilean voters reject conservative constitution

Electoral workers open ballots after the polls closed in Santiago (Esteban Felix/AP)

Voters have rejected a proposed conservative constitution to replace Chile’s dictatorship-era charter, showing the deep division in the South American country and the inability of political sectors to address people’s demands for change made four years ago.

With nearly all votes counted late on Sunday, about 55.8% had voted against the new charter, with about 44.2% in favour.