Polls opened on Sunday in Uruguay's presidential election, in which an ex-guerrilla leader who twice escaped from jail during the military dictatorship has a real chance of winning.

Balloting began throughout the South American country at 8am (10am GMT), and was expected to end at 7.30pm (2130 GMT).

Jose Mujica (74) candidate for the incumbent Broad Front party, may get the nod from the country's 2.6 million voters in the first round of balloting.

He needs more than 50 percent of the vote to avoid a 29 November runoff against either of his main rivals, conservative former president Luis Lacalle (68) from the National Party, or Pedro Bordaberry (49) son of the country's 1973-1975 dictator representing the Colorado Party.

Surveys put the rotund, scruffy and gray-haired Mujica ? better known in Uruguay, population 3.3 million, by his nickname "Pepe" ? well ahead of his rivals and within striking distance of an outright win on Sunday.

If Mujica does triumph, analysts believe he will continue left-wing economic policies introduced by outgoing President Tabare Vazquez, who is ending his five-year term on a wave of popularity but who is barred from re-election.