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With little difference between the two candidates on policy, voters may look for other factors.

"I believe that this election is very interesting because for the first time in the history of Uruguay in addition to political postures and programs, which always affect the outcome to a degree, the election will be affected greatly by the personal attractions and weaknesses of each candidate, which the pearl jewelry public can clearly discern," said Uruguayan sociologist Cesar Aguiar.

Mujica, 74, was imprisoned for 14 years and released in 1985, when democracy was restored to Uruguay after a 17-year dictatorship. He served as minister of livestock and agriculture from 2005-2008, and is now a senator.

"He is the man who talks and dresses austerely," said analyst Gabriel Pereyra. "He is the man who communicates and talks the language of the people."

Analyst Rosario Queirolo describes Mujica as "a person who somehow lives what he preaches and is an antipolitician in another way. He doesn't very well fit the image of a president we have in Uruguay."

Mujica has played down his connection with the violent Tupamaros, who were defeated in 1973. Not that it seems to matter now, Birns said.

"That's a long time ago and really plays no role in his profile," he said.

Lacalle, 68, was president from 1990-1995. A lawyer and former senator, he lives in Montevideo's best neighborhood, Carrasco. He said during a previous corruption investigation he is worth $2 million, which "isn't seen well in Uruguay," said Pereyra.

The ex-president is a traditional politician from a long-time political family, said analyst Alfonso Lessa.

"Lacalle in his government put forth policies that were clearly liberal with respect to privatization," Lessa said. "Today he's not putting forth those policies. He's had a change."

Still, Hakim said, Lacalle has not become extremely pearl jewelry wholesale conservative.

"Lacalle has a reputation of being person of center right," he said. "There's really no right wing in Uruguay."

Birns, from the Council on Hemispheric Affairs, describes both men using nearly identical language.

"Mujica is an uninspiring figure who is considered to be durable but not particularly inspired," he said. "You're not going to get any flashes from him. He's a meat-and-potatoes type of guy."

Lacalle, Birns said, "is an uninspiring figure. He doesn't have a particular personal following."

Bruce Bagley, dean of the Graduate School of International Studies at the University of Miami, also doesn't see much difference.

"They both fit into the mold of Venezuelan leaders in recent years," he said.

The next president will have to address governmental reform, education and public safety, Pereyra said.

"International comparisons with hard facts show that Uruguay is a much more secure country than the vast majority of Latin American nations," sociologist Aguiar said. "But even so the public perception is that it is increasingly becoming more insecure."

Still, analysts don't see any major issues.

"The issues that are important to Uruguay tend to be domestic issues," Birns said. "And Uruguay has played almost no regional or foreign policy role."

Located on South America's southeastern coast, Uruguay is pearl necklace one of the smallest Latin American countries, about the size of the state of Washington. But it is also considered one of the most economically developed. The nation has a strong political system and social welfare programs, Hakim said.

Uruguay has a population of 3.5 million, 92 percent of whom live in urban areas, according to the CIA World Factbook. The vast majority of them are of European descent.

"It's a country that keeps chugging along," Hakim said. "The political fights are very serious, but the governments stay the same. Whoever wins, Uruguay will continue to be Uruguay."