Polls have closed across Brazil for the presidential election on Sunday, where leftist incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva seeks a fourth non-consecutive term. Facing him is Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, who aims to carry forward the right-wing populist movement established by his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro.
Given Brazil’s reliance on electronic voting machines, results are anticipated within a few hours of the polls shutting. Voters can monitor the tally in real time through the Electoral Court’s official website.
The election is projected to be a highly competitive contest, with neither leading candidate likely to secure an outright majority and avoid a runoff scheduled for October 25.
Lula and Bolsonaro concluded their respective campaigns on Saturday in Sao Paulo, Brazil’s economic hub.
Lula Pledges to Defeat the Far Right
The 80-year-old Lula brought his campaign to a close with a tour of Sao Paulo, vowing to “defeat the far right.”
Organizers reported that approximately 150,000 Lula supporters attended the rally in Brazil’s largest city.
Lula has campaigned on preserving the left-leaning agenda of the Workers’ Party, which emphasizes welfare initiatives, state-funded development, and income redistribution.
“The people will have to choose between strengthening the democratic regime and barbarism … between progress and backwardness,” he said as he cast his ballot on Sunday.
Bolsonaro Urges a National Change
Flavio Bolsonaro, 45, has been serving as a senator for the Liberal Party representing Rio de Janeiro since 2019. On Saturday, he organized a motorcycle procession through Sao Paulo county towns including Santa Barbara d’Oeste and Americana.
He presented a portrait of his father during the event, with the crowd chanting “mito” — Portuguese for “legend,” a term used by Jair Bolsonaro’s supporters.
His campaign emphasizes strict security policies and tax reductions, while highlighting the rising cost of living under Lula, whom he has criticized as “incompetent.”
“Brazil needs change,” the former president’s son said as he cast his vote. “Brazil cannot bear any more suffering, such as high taxes, so many women killed.”
A Rematch From Brazil’s 2022 Election
The elder Bolsonaro is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence for an alleged attempt to stage a coup overturning his 2022 defeat to Lula. Flavio Bolsonaro has promised to pardon his father should he win.
Lula’s team has characterized the Bolsonaro movement as a danger to Brazilian sovereignty, pointing to connections between the Bolsonaros and US President Donald Trump. Last year, Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports in response to the elder Bolsonaro’s coup trial, which he has described as a “witch hunt.”
Brazilians vote in high-stakes presidential election
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In interviews, the younger Bolsonaro has described himself as “more moderate” than his father, though he has stated his father will remain “my compass, my point of reference.”
Shared policy positions include relaxed gun control regulations and skepticism regarding human-caused climate change.
While Trump has not officially endorsed the senator, he has stated he is watching the election “very closely.”
What Happens Next?
Brazil remains deeply politically divided, with a bitter campaign featuring aggressive online operations from both sides that quickly generated slick videos and AI-created images to capitalize on every gaffe, accusation, and rumor.
Earlier this September, it was disclosed that Bolsonaro is under investigation for alleged corruption, money laundering, and tax evasion connected to the financing of a biopic about his father. He has denied any misconduct.
Who is Brazil’s Flavio Bolsonaro?
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Recent polling for the first round of voting places Lula at 46% and Bolsonaro at 45%, according to Brazilian data intelligence and public opinion research firm Quaest, as cited by the Reuters news agency.
In the event of a run-off, the Quaest poll projects Lula at 42% and Bolsonaro at 44%.
In 2022, Lula defeated Jair Bolsonaro by a margin of only 1.8 percentage points.
Beyond the presidency, Brazil’s 160 million registered voters are also electing other lawmakers, governors, and senators.
Brazil election: Lula, Bolsonaro focus on women’s vote
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