More than 50 processes, in over 30 Chilean boroughs, have been carried out through the EParticipation platform.
Decisions on participatory budgets, regulatory plans, parks, hours of operation of premises or what measures to implement to face the COVID-19, are only some of the matters that the neighbors of 34 Chilean boroughs have defined with EVoting in over 50 participatory processes. The most important was the consultation on the writing of a new Constitution for the country, which was held in 2019 and where over one million people voted on the EParticipation platform.
And this also is what the municipality of La Reina did recently, when it decided, with 44.4% of the neighbors’ preferences, that on-site classes in municipal educational establishments should return on Monday, August 2nd. This binding decision was announced by the municipal authority immediately after the results were known. In recent years, the participation of neighbors has become vital for decision-making processes, project implementation, analysis of community plans, among others. In Chile, the municipalities of La Florida, Las Condes, Quilpué, Antofagasta, Concepción, Quilicura are some that have also gone down this path with EVoting.
“It was a fast, comfortable and safe way of voting. The access was easy and reliable and I think it was an overall excellent participatory instance”, stated Karen Navarro, neighbor of La Florida, regarding the citizen consultation on a curfew in her borough . Delia Gallegos, a resident of La Reina who participated in the consultation on improvements to Padre Hurtado Park, said that “these instances, which are quick and easy, generate greater participation by all the neighbors. And that is the goal: we are the ones who must decide what is to be done or improved in our neighborhoods”. Cristian Roa, a resident of Quilicura, who also participated in the consultation, said that electronic voting “allows you to vote from home, or anywhere. It also allows children to become familiar with these processes, which are important for making decisions regarding our community. I found it to be interesting and very good”.
You can learn more about citizen participation processes HERE.