Viera-Gallo: It is unlikely that electoral reform will be applied to the upcoming elections

SANTIAGO. -  After PS and DC deputies put an end to the discussion of the bill to allow voluntary voting and automatic voter registration –which is scheduled to be voted on today at the Chamber of Deputies- the Secretary General of the Presidency, José Antonio Viera-Gallo, has acknowledged that the scenario makes it unlikely that the reform will be instated before the presidential and parliamentary elections this year.

“I think that in the end the bill will be approved, there will be automatic voter registration, but I cannot assure that this will be in operation for the upcoming elections”, the minister told Radio Cooperativa.

The state secretary explained that, at the request of deputies from different benches, the government agreed to change the urgent classification of the initiative –requiring immediate discussion due to extreme urgency— and said that they are aware the change could make it difficult for the law to be made effective as of this year.

“If several deputies from different parties request more debate on the issue, the government obliges;  now each will have to assume the consequences of this extended debate”, said Viera Gallo.