Record turnout seen as Chileans vote in constitutional referendum

A man wearing a protective face mask and gloves disinfects a ballot box during a referendum on a new Chilean constitution in Santiago, Chile, October 25, 2020. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Chileans turned out in record numbers on Sunday to vote on whether to tear up the country's Pinochet-era constitution in favor of a fresh charter drafted by citizens - a key demand of fierce anti-government protests that erupted last year.

Electoral and government officials and analysts pointed to a particularly high turnout and significant representation of young people among voters, despite Chile continuing to be blighted by the coronavirus pandemic and recent violence linked to the demonstrations.