Uruguayans go to the polls

Press, 30 November 1982, Page 9

Uruguayans go to the polls

NZPA Montevideo Thousands of people thronged Montevideo’s streets chanting, “Liberty, liberty” after early returns in elections yesterday indicated a popular demand for an end to military rule. With almost 10 per cent of the votes counted in Monte-

video • ballots showed that anti-Government officials were being elected to the congresses of the two traditional Centrist parties. People cheered and car horns, blared as the small South American capital erupted in a festive mood with Uruguayans welcoming the first step towards a return to democracy.

Crowds gathered outside the headquarters of the main political parties where latin rhythms throbbed from > loudspeakers. . Government opponents appeared on balconies but their speeches were drowned in cries of “viva, viva democracia.” The Right-wing military Government had banned par-

ticipation in the elections by Left-wing parties or the Christian Democrats,. .who allied with them in a broad front electoral coalition a decade ago. Parliament was dissolved by Presidential decree on June 27, 1973, amidst a civil war between the Armed Forces and the Tupamaros urban guerrilas.