Brazil votes in deeply polarised election pitting Lula against Bolsonaro

Live updates

1. 2h ago

   Brazil Heads to Presidential Runoff Following Polarised First Round

   Brazil is headed to an October 25 presidential runoff after neither left-wing incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva nor right-wing challenger Flavio Bolsonaro secured an outright victory in the first round of voting. The election exposes deep divisions across the nation over inflation, corruption, crime, and relations with the United States. Approximately 160 million registered voters were eligible to cast ballots on Sunday to select a new president, governors, senators, and lawmakers in a closely contested political showdown.

   Why it matters

   The presidential contest features left-wing leader Lula seeking a fourth nonconsecutive term against Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of convicted former president Jair Bolsonaro. Campaign momentum heading into the vote showed Lula's previous lead narrowing significantly. The outcome reflects ongoing ideological conflict within South America's largest nation.

   What is confirmed

   • Brazil held the first round of its presidential election on Sunday, with polls closing after a contest featuring Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro.
   • The presidential race will proceed to an October 25 runoff between Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro.
   • Some 160 million registered voters were eligible to cast ballots in Sunday's elections to select a president, lawmakers, governors, and senators.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Neither candidate was likely to win outright during Sunday's initial voting round, according to late campaign polls.

   What to watch next

   • The official campaign kickoff and polling updates leading up to the October 25 presidential runoff.
   • Official results and vote tallies for regional governors, senators, and lawmakers from Sunday's election.
   Sources used for this update (18)

   1. en.wikipedia.org — Brazil - Wikipedia
   2. www.worldatlas.com — Brazil Maps & Facts - World Atlas
   3. www.countryreports.org — Brazil — Facts, Capital, Population, Flag & Profile
   4. en.wikipedia.org — Geography of Brazil - Wikipedia
   5. Reuters — Live maps and results for the Brazil Election
   6. CNN — Trump, crime and corruption loom over Brazil’s presidential vote
   7. Al Jazeera — Brazil votes in deeply polarised election pitting Lula against Bolsonaro
   8. www.france24.com — Flavio Bolsonaro: In the name of the father, sons, and holy ideology - France 24
   9. wsj.com — Lula Is the Brazilian Left’s Last Hope—And Its Biggest Problem
   10. AP News — Live updates: Voters in Brazil head to the polls to select a new president
   11. The Guardian — Brazil presidential election 2026: first-round live results
   12. The New York Times — 2026 Brazil Elections: What to Know as Lula and Bolsonaro Face Off
   confidence 90%