Montevideo, June 2 (Mercopress-RHC) -- Sunday's primaries in Uruguay decided the candidates of the four parties that will be disputing the presidential election on October 26th, with a run-off a month later if none of them manages 50% plus one of ballots.

The only two big surprises of the day was the unexpected and resounding victory in the main opposition National party of Luis Lacalle Pou with 56 percent, who defeated veteran Senator Jorge Larra-ñaga by almost ten points, when pollsters 48 hours before had anticipated a very tight race.

The other was the very low turnout of less than 40 percent sending a strong message of voters' apathy or discontent by militants that didn't bother to express their views.

In the ruling coalition, former president, Tabare Vazquez (2005/2010), managed an overwhelming 80% of the ballots, while challenger, Constanza Moreira, received 18%.

In the junior opposition Colorado party, similarly favorite candidate, Pedro Borda-berry, garnered over 70% of the vote and his runner up, José Amorín Batlle, almost 30%.

The Independent party, with at the most 2% of the overall national vote, simply complied with the formality of the primaries with an only candidate, Pablo Mieres.