With nearly all votes counted, Flavio Bolsonaro led President Lula but fell short of a first-round majority, setting a 25 October runoff.
Brazil's presidential election is heading to a runoff on 25 October after Senator Flavio Bolsonaro finished ahead of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva without an outright majority. The Guardian reported that, with 99.9 percent of votes counted, Bolsonaro had 47 percent and Lula 45.1 percent.
Bolsonaro received about 56.1 million votes to Lula's 53.8 million, the Guardian said. Other right-wing candidates Ronaldo Caiado and Renan Santos took 2.1 percent and 2.2 percent. The Washington Post reported the two leaders finished first and second and will meet in the second round.
Lula, 80, said the result was unexpected and that he had been convinced he would win in the first round. He said Bolsonaro's past would become clearer to voters before the runoff. Bolsonaro, 45, is the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro.
The first round leaves the incumbent behind a challenger who is now favoured by some analysts because votes from eliminated right-wing candidates may move toward him. Neither report said either candidate had conceded the overall contest, because a second round is required.
The runoff is set for 25 October. Official final certification and any legal challenges were not detailed in the reports used here.
People Sentiments Mixed
- Lula called the first-round result unexpected and said he had expected to win outright
- The Guardian described Bolsonaro as entering the runoff as strong favourite