Voters in Brazil cast first-round ballots on Sunday in a presidential race between Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, with a runoff likely if no one passes 50 percent.
Brazilians began voting on Sunday in the first round of a general election that will choose a president, a full Chamber of Deputies and two-thirds of the Senate. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, 80, is seeking a fourth term. His main rival is Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, 45, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro.
Reuters reported from Brasilia and Sao Paulo that the campaign has been dominated by corruption scandals, economic anxiety and accusations of US meddling, with limited policy debate after both leading candidates skipped major television debates. A first-round win requires more than 50 percent of valid votes; otherwise the top two meet on 25 October.
BBC News, citing its Brasil poll tracker, said Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro were each hovering around 40 percent, with other candidates at 4 percent or less. Surveys cited by Reuters showed the two roughly even in a likely runoff, and each rejected by about half of voters.
Jair Bolsonaro is not on the ballot. BBC reported he is barred from office and serving a 27-year sentence over a plot to overturn his 2022 loss to Lula. Reuters noted a Flavio Bolsonaro victory would extend a regional run of right-wing wins aligned with US President Donald Trump, while Lula's re-election would leave Washington dealing with a government it has already clashed with on trade and security.
The next administration will inherit high public debt and a weak growth outlook, Reuters said. Early Sunday reports did not yet provide an official turnout or partial count. First-round results are expected after polls close.
People Sentiments Mixed
- Reuters reported both leading candidates expressed confidence before the vote.
- BBC reported a relatively high share of voters still undecided days before polling.