MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Praise from OAS to Uruguay's electoral system and political practice

Election Day reflected the full confidence of Uruguayan voters in the electoral system said Insulza

The Organization of American States Secretary General, (OAS), congratulated the Uruguayan people on their democratic spirit shown during Sunday´s general elections. He also extended praise to the two candidates that advanced to the second round, Tabare Vazquez from the ruling Broad Front, and Luis Lacalle Pou from the National Party.

 As to the runoff scheduled for 30 November, Insulza expressed confidence that “the campaign that will continue for the next days and culminate on November 30 will again be an example for democracy in the region, and that the elections will reach the same high levels of participation experienced in the first round.”

In response to an invitation from the Electoral Court, the OAS Secretary General sent a high level technical team that held meetings with the presidential candidates, visited several voting booths on election day and witnessed a high degree of organization from electoral authorities and party members, plus a calm civilized atmosphere, which reflected the full confidence of the citizenry in the electoral system.

This team, headed by the Secretary for Political Affairs of the OAS, Kevin Casas, highlighted the high level political debate that took place during the campaign, a symbol of respect for the parties, the candidates, and the democratic institutions in a country with one of the most stable and solid party systems in the Hemisphere.