![President Sebastian Pinera said the decision to postpone the vote has been 'a very difficult' one [AFP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/000_96X99J.jpg?resize=770%2C513)
SANTIAGO, May 11 (NNN-Xinhua) — Chilean President Sebastian Pinera urged the public to vote in upcoming elections in which voters will for the first time cast ballots for members of the body that will draft a new constitution.
The May 15 and 16 elections will also see voters elect local mayors and councilors.
“Without a doubt, these elections are very important, because they are going to mark the course of our country and our society for the coming decades,” the president said, referring to the 155 members of the constitutional assembly tasked with drafting the Constitution.
To facilitate voting, authorities will waive the requirement of obtaining a special permit to leave the house amid COVID-19 lockdown measures, and a curfew will begin at 2 a.m., the president said.
The need for a new Constitution to promote greater equality arose following the political and social unrest sparked by public transit fare hikes in October 2019. — NNN-XINHUA