PANAMA CITY, Panama (AP) -- In an election dominated by names from the past, Panamanians will be choosing their first president since taking control of the canal from the United States more than four years ago.

Sunday's vote is also seen as an example of how far democracy has come in Panama since the December 1989 U.S. invasion to oust former dictator Manuel Noriega.

About 1.9 million people are registered to vote in the elections, which will also decide the country's two vice presidencies, all 78 national Congress seats, and dozens of local offices.

Martin Torrijos, the U.S.-educated son of former military strongman Omar Torrijos, has been leading in the polls. He has renounced his father's authoritarian style.

His main opponent, former President Guillermo Endara, is considered by many as the candidate who is most independent of American influence because of his opposition to a continued presence for U.S. troops.

But neither face is new, and their lack of proposals to combat the greatest ills facing Panama -- corruption, 14 percent unemployment and crime -- have disappointed some people.

"We are voting for dead men," said Miguel Antonio Bernal, political science professor at the University of Panama.

He was referring to Omar Torrijos and the late Arnulfo Arias, a former president ousted by the military three times.

The elder Torrijos seized power in a 1968 coup and ruled Panama until he was killed in a plane crash in 1981. Noriega subsequently took control of the army and used rigged elections to remain in office for eight years.

Arias' widow, Mireya Moscosa, is the current president. Both her Arnulfista Party and Endara, a former Arias' confidant, claim his legacy.

Torrijos, a 40-year-old businessman and former McDonald's manager, has tried to project the image of a fresh face in politics.

Endara, 67, a career politician, has tried to promote his experience.

"We represent the future, not the past," Torrijos said at one campaign rally. "We want a new country, governed by honest and capable men and women."

Bernal noted that "the political establishment here has more past than future. Change won't come from them."

The candidates have been discussing corruption and want to stimulate the economy -- using everything from free trade to closer links to China, the third-largest user of the Panama Canal.

Canal not an issue in campaign
They have not engaged in the ideological campaigns that polarized recent elections in other Central American nations such as El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua.

On Monday, Panama began formal negotiations on a free trade agreement with the United States, a move that all candidates support in principle.

"The best thing about this campaign is that none of the candidates appears to be a threat to any segment of the population," said former newspaper publisher and businessman Roberto Eisenmann Jr.

The canal, an issue that has dominated politics since Panama split off from Colombia in 1903, has not even become part of the election campaign.

Despite dire predictions when the United States turned over full control of the canal in 1999, it has in many cases functioned more efficiently under Panamanian control.

Political roots
Torrijos has drawn some of his support from his father's status as a nationalist hero. Born out of wedlock, he wasn't raised by the late strongman, although his father did support him financially.

He also hasn't entirely been able to shake criticism of his father's military regime.

Former Foreign Minister Jose Miguel Aleman, running a distant third for the governing Arnulfista Party, said Torrijos victory would mean "a return to military rule ... dictatorial and military roots."

Although Torrijos has described his father as "my hero, my model," he has tried to distance himself from him.

"I understand he is unrepeatable and singular. He did what he could in the context in which he lived, and I never plan to be the same as him," Torrijos said.

His own military experience is limited to a Texas military prep school where he studied from the age of 14. A graduate of Texas A&M University, he has removed most of the veterans of his father's military regime from his Democratic Revolution Party.

"He represents a generational transition," Torrijos adviser Nils Castro said. "He favors free trade agreements with other countries, education reform, a safe business climate and transparency in government activities."

Endara has tried to resurrect himself politically.

Sworn into office after the United States ousted Noriega -- who nullified Endara's May 1989 election victory -- the once-rotund Endara has slimmed down and campaigned on an anti-corruption platform.

"We are going to fight corruption, (because) unless we control it, there won't be any new jobs, any investment," Endara said.

Copyright 2004 The Associated Press.