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Exit polls: Uruguay's presidential election goes to run-off | Exit polls: Uruguay's presidential election goes to run-off |
(34 minutes later) | |
Exit polls and partial results in Uruguay say the candidate of President Jose Mujica's party has won most votes in the presidential election. | |
But Tabare Vazquez appears to have fallen short of the outright majority needed to avoid a run-off next month. | |
If confirmed, Mr Vazquez of the Broad Front party will face Luis Lacalle Pou of the right-wing National Party. | |
President Mujica is barred by the constitution from running for a second consecutive term. | |
Three separate exit polls showed Mr Vazquez winning with 44-46% of votes and Mr Lacalle Pou trailing behind with 31-34%. | Three separate exit polls showed Mr Vazquez winning with 44-46% of votes and Mr Lacalle Pou trailing behind with 31-34%. |
Partial official results also appeared to confirm that the election will go to a second round on 30 November, as no candidate obtained at least 50.1% of the vote on Sunday. | |
Tight runoff | |
Tabare Vazquez served as president of Uruguay in 2005-2010 and remains one of the most popular politicians in Latin America. | |
BBC correspondent Ignacio de los Reyes says the presidential run-off is expected to be tight as Mr Vazquez's young contender, Luis Lacalle Pou, who is the son of a former president, became a rising political star in recent months. | |
They have both promised to keep social spending high and boost the economy. | |
Mr Mujica remains popular after leading Uruguay through economy growth and wage rises, but he is barred by the constitution from running for a second consecutive term. | Mr Mujica remains popular after leading Uruguay through economy growth and wage rises, but he is barred by the constitution from running for a second consecutive term. |
His government was behind social reforms such as the legalisation of marijuana, abortion and gay marriage. | His government was behind social reforms such as the legalisation of marijuana, abortion and gay marriage. |
But critics say it has failed to deal with problems in education, security and environmental protection. | But critics say it has failed to deal with problems in education, security and environmental protection. |
Uruguayans were casting ballots for president, vice-president and members of parliament at the same time. The Broad Front could lose its current majority in Congress. | |
They were also voting in a controversial referendum on whether to lower the age at which a person can be criminally charged as an adult from 18 to 16. |