This was agreed by the members of said instance, after having a first approach to the initiative together with the Minister Secretary General of the Presidency, George Jacksonand to the Undersecretariat Macarena Lobos.
During the session there was agreement among the senators regarding the need to make the necessary legal adjustments to facilitate the development of the exit plebiscite, but there were differences regarding whether the indications presented by the Executive were or were not related to the main idea of the reform. .
This, because the project refers to the proximity of the electors’ domicile and the polling places for the exit plebiscite, and the indications presented by the Executive adjust some deadlines and regulations around that process.
According to Senator Light Ebenspergerthe indications would be out of the main ideas of the reform and the idea is that what is approved by Congress does not have possible problems when going through the revision of the Constitutional Court.
“We all agree that these changes must be made, but I want us to do it well. There is no other purpose than that,” said the parliamentarian.
A different opinion was expressed by the president of the Commission and co-author of the reform Matthias Walkerwho explained that the foundations of the same are clear in specifying that it seeks to “contribute to the realization of the largest democratic festival in Chile for which we must return all our efforts to collaborate in that … it is our role to be a collaborative entity in this process”.
INDICATIONS
The indications presented by the Executive are fundamentally aimed at adapting some deadlines that are not considered in the current regulations and that, if not approved, would generate certain gaps.
This was explained by Minister Jackson after pointing out that the indications seek adaptations of deadlines to give certain dates to the schedule.
In this sense, the indications aim to regulate some provisions on radio advertising, the adequacy of the registers so that they are audited, the purification of the register of people over 90 years of age, among other measures.
He added that the fundamental objective of this motion is to expand the forms of participation for the plebiscite, so the indications would not go against the main ideas.
HASSLE
Prior to discussing this initiative, Senator Alfonso De Urresti expressed its annoyance at the absence of the Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Marcela Rioswho had been invited to speak about the legislative priorities of the Executive.
The Secretary of State excused herself from attending, noting that she had a previous protocol commitment scheduled and expressed her availability to attend a future session.
However, Senator De Urresti expressed his annoyance, arguing that “it is essential to have the participation of the minister in the Commission, on the understanding that they are co-legislators.”
“I think there are extremely important projects in this commission. I understand that the minister has favored a protocol meeting with the Valparaíso Court of Appeals. That is a mistake, it is a lack of deference to the commission, it is a lack of priorities regarding what the portfolio is looking for…we don’t deserve this kind of treatment,” said Senator Urresti.
Senators Luz Ebensperger and Rodrigo Galilee They reaffirmed the foregoing, pointing out that it is important for the Secretary of State to understand that just as they respect their work as co-legislators, they ask for the same respect towards the Commission.
