BPS Elections 2026: Justifying Non-Voting While Abroad
On 22 November 2026, Uruguay will hold elections for representatives of active members, pensioners and contributing businesses to the Board of Directors of the Banco de Previsión Social (BPS), Uruguay’s social security institution.
Eligible voters who do not vote may submit a justification through an online form that will be available on the Electoral Court’s website after the election.
Those who are outside Uruguay on election day may provide evidence of their absence as outlined below.
Residents abroad
Residents abroad may visit the Uruguayan consular office nearest their home to request a certificate of absence (acta de ausentismo), confirming their presence outside Uruguay.
The certificate is free of charge and may be issued from 2 November to 12 December 2026, covering the twenty days before and the twenty days after the election.
For information on the required documentation, please contact the Consulate General of Uruguay in Sydney in advance at cgsydney@mrree.gub.uy, indicating your place of residence.
Please retain the certificate, as it serves as supporting documentation when submitting a justification for not voting to the Electoral Court. Obtaining the certificate does not replace the requirement to submit that justification through the online form.
People temporarily outside Uruguay
Absence from the country may be established through documents showing departure and return dates, such as:
- A travel movement certificate issued by Uruguay’s National Directorate of Migration.
- A passport bearing exit and entry stamps for Uruguay.
- Travel tickets confirming those dates.
- Proof of employment abroad or other similar documents.
The deadline for submitting a justification on these grounds is 60 days from the date of entry into Uruguay.
Deadlines and further information
The general deadline for submitting justifications for not voting is 21 January 2027, without prejudice to the specific deadline of 60 days after returning to Uruguay applicable to those who are abroad.
Official information and, after the election, the justification form will be available on the Electoral Court’s website — BPS Elections 2026.
For enquiries about obtaining a certificate of absence, please contact the Consulate General of Uruguay in Sydney at cgsydney@mrree.gub.uy.