Chile: Clashes erupt after vote on dictatorship-era charter

A small group of people clashed with authorities as Chileans voted on Sunday on whether to draft a new constitution for their nation to replace guiding principles imposed four decades ago under a military dictatorship.

Water truck cannons attempted to disperse people from the streets, while others looked on and banged on pots.

The country's conservative government agreed with the centre-left opposition to allow the plebiscite after the outbreak of vast street protests that erupted a year ago.

Protesters were frustrated by inequality in pensions, education and health care in what has long been one of South America's most developed nations.