Flavio Bolsonaro led President Lula in Brazil's first-round vote but fell short of a majority. The electoral court set a runoff for 25 October.
Brazil's presidential election is heading to a runoff on 25 October after neither leading candidate won a first-round majority on Sunday, the BBC reported. The electoral court confirmed that President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro will advance.
With almost all votes counted, the BBC said Bolsonaro had 47 percent and Lula 45 percent. Al Jazeera, citing wire services, reported Bolsonaro at about 47 percent of valid votes to Lula's 44.9 percent, and about 56 million votes to almost 53 million. Neither figure reaches the 50 percent threshold.
Bolsonaro is the eldest son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year sentence for masterminding a failed coup after the 2022 election, the BBC reported. Flavio Bolsonaro has pledged amnesty for his father and for supporters involved in the 8 January riots if he is elected.
Lula had been slightly ahead in campaign polling. Bolsonaro's first-round lead exceeded those expectations, and the BBC said some eliminated candidates were right-wing alternatives, which could favour him in the runoff. He is stronger in the south and among wealthier and evangelical voters, the BBC reported.
Bolsonaro said on Sunday he was very happy to have led the first round and that he expected to win in three weeks. Campaigning continues until the 25 October vote. No official second-round debate schedule was included in the reports reviewed.
People Sentiments Mixed
- Flavio Bolsonaro said he was very happy to have led the first round and confident of a runoff win.
- The first-round result left neither camp with a majority.