They will do so for the presidency of the Republic, the seats in Parliament and two constitutional plebiscites.

One of the first citizens to vote was former President José Mujica, who is recovering from the aftermaths of a radiotherapy treatment against esophageal cancer.

He arrived in a wheelchair and electoral lists in hand.

He told the press that democracies must undergo substantive changes.

If it does not change, he stressed, democracy will be institutionally sick.

He argued that it is impossible for parliaments to represent all interests and sectors of society. The Covid epidemic demonstrated it, he said.

He also expressed that the electoral campaign “was a little distracted” and considered that there was a lack of issues, such as increasing the production of meat and grains, fundamental items for exportation. Citizen security and better distribution of wealth will be key for the next government, he underscored.

The polling stations, in more than seven thousand circuits, will be open until 19:30 local time, although they may be extended for another hour if there are still lines of voters in a country where voting is mandatory by law.

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