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Some 2.7 million Uruguayans were voting for new president and vice president, while also choosing new lawmakers in the country's two chambers of the legislature.
Uruguayans voted Sunday in general elections with the Frente Amplio, which has ruled for more than 14 years as a favorite, but their center-left policies face the challenge of a coalition of conservative parties.
Some 2.7 million Uruguayans were voting for a new president and vice president, while also choosing new lawmakers in the country's two chambers of the legislature. Voting will end at 7:30 p.m. local time.
Uruguayans fill polling stations for today's crucial presidential elections. The ruling left wing 'Broad Front' party has governed there since 2005. pic.twitter.com/9QLyCfM4MF
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) October 27, 2019
The election campaign ended Wednesday with massive acts by the two main rivals, the frontrunner engineer Daniel Martínez, 62, and the conservative lawyer Luis Lacalle Pou, 46. Martínez appears first in the polls with support of between 40 and 43 percent, while Lacalle is in second place with 25 and 28 percent of likely voters.
Uruguay also has presidential elections today.
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) October 27, 2019
'Pepe' Mujica has arrived to vote for the leftist 'Broad Front' party that he used to lead. Polls indicate that they are likely to come in first place once again. pic.twitter.com/MWqAcq32xn
The ruling party candidate is capitalizing on the successes of the three previous governments of the Frente Amplio, headed by Tabaré Vázquez and José Mujica, and bases his government proposal on deepening an economic development model with social inclusion.
Juan Díaz, a 42-year-old economist, told Reuters that he supported the continuity of the Frente Amplio in the government for the stability of the last administrations and also highlighted Martínez's management as the mayor of Montevideo.
#UruguayDecide A pesar de lo complejo del sistema de votación, toma solamente dos minutos para que un ciudadano entre, ejerza su derecho y salga @teleSURtv pic.twitter.com/rmYlrKWRdi
— Pablo Siris Seade (@pablosiris) October 27, 2019
"For the first time there was a surplus in the city and it is important that this be repeated throughout the country," said Juan Díaz, a 42-year-old economist who supported the ruling party for the stability he brought, and who highlighted Martínez's management at the helm in the city of Montevideo.
Daniel Martinez, leftist candidate for Ururguay's 'Broad Front' party has arrived to vote.
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) October 27, 2019
Polls show that they are likely to come in first place, though possibly short of a first round victory. pic.twitter.com/wyAOgZFBzc
From the opposition, the candidate Lacalle of the National Party leads a coalition of conservative groups with criticisms of the management of the economy, security and education. Monica Rivero, a 49-year-old Montevidean employee, said she looks forward to the elections and supports the National Party.
"We are excited and we have a lot of hope," Rivero said. He affirmed that it is necessary to "end the waste in the State and pay fewer taxes." If no candidate exceeds 50 percent of votes on Sunday, the two with the most votes will meet again on the last Sunday of November. The first results of the vote will be known after 9 pm local time.
"Everyone ready in the electoral HQ of the Front of All party, ready to follow the vote count of this historic presidential election. @alferdez and @CFKArgentina will be present later. A rally of supporters will gather outside 'Cultural Center C' #ArgentinaDecide" https://t.co/ABsI900cW8
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) October 27, 2019
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