Polling stations open for Uruguay’s presidential and parliamentary elections
Voters will vote on two referendums: one on social security and another on night raids.
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Polling stations for the presidential and parliamentary elections in Uruguay on Sunday, in which some 2.7 million citizens will be able to vote, opened at 8:00 a.m. local time (11:00 GMT).
Unlike what happened in the primaries held in June, this time – as established by the National Constitution – voting is mandatory. According to this, those who do not do so and do not have a justified cause will be fined.
In this election, voters will choose the presidential formula that will lead the South American country in the period 2025-2030, as well as the members of the Senate (30 members plus the Vice President of the Republic) and the Chamber of Deputies (99 members).
However, to become Luis Lacalle Pou’s successor, any of the candidates must obtain more than 50% of the valid votes. Otherwise, the two candidates with the most votes will advance to a second round, which will take place on Sunday, November 24.
Voters will also vote on two referendums: one on social security and another on night raids.
Promoted by the PIT-CNT trade union and supported by social groups, the first of these seeks to modify the social security regime of the South American country, which was modified by law in 2023.
It also seeks to eliminate pension fund administrators so that the Social Security system is managed exclusively by the State.
The second seeks to authorize nighttime searches, which are currently prohibited by Article 11 of the National Constitution. This underlines that the home is a sacred and inviolable place and that no one may enter it at night without the consent of its head.
Regarding voting day, former presidents of Uruguay are expected to go to the polls at different times of the day.
While José Mujica will do so early in the morning, Julio María Sanguinetti will go around noon and Luis Alberto Lacalle Herrera in the afternoon.
Lacalle Pou will vote at around 11:00 local time (14:00 GMT) in the department (province) of Canelones, about 50 kilometers from Montevideo.
As for the candidates, the Frente Amplio candidate Yamandú Orsi will also vote in Canelones, while the remaining ten will do so in the country’s capital.
