Brazilians vote in runoff between Lula and far-right Bolsonaro

Brazilians are voting on Sunday in a presidential runoff between incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and senator Flávio Bolsonaro. Lula is seeking a return to power, while Bolsonaro is attempting to succeed his father, former president Jair Bolsonaro.

The first round produced a less-than-2% gap between the candidates. Lula’s campaign gained ground during the runoff, but final polls published on Saturday still put Bolsonaro slightly ahead.

The result is expected late Sunday evening. The election involves 159 million voters, and analysts expect the winner to be decided by a narrow margin.

Candidates’ programmes and support

Bolsonaro, 45, has served as a congressman for more than 20 years and is now a senator. He has promised to pardon his father if elected; Jair Bolsonaro is under house arrest and serving a 27-year sentence for attempting to overturn the 2022 election result.

Bolsonaro has also pledged a tougher security policy, including the construction of five “mega-prisons”. Lula has campaigned on income distribution and free public education.

Lula voted in São Bernardo do Campo, where his political career began. Bolsonaro voted at a school in Rio de Janeiro’s north zone and said Brazil needed “real change”.

Tensions before the vote

In Minas Gerais state, Iara Pimentel, a councillor from Lula’s party, suffered facial injuries after the motorcade carrying her was attacked with bottles and bricks by Bolsonaro supporters. She was taken to hospital and later called the attack unacceptable.

Both candidates held large final rallies in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Belo Horizonte. Voters who identify with neither candidate could prove decisive in an election marked by intense polarisation.

Turnout in the first round reached a record low, disproportionately affecting Lula’s supporters. Bolsonaro began the runoff with backing from most defeated candidates, but his support later stagnated.

Bolsonaro is under investigation in two federal police inquiries over alleged corruption and money laundering. Political scientist Helcimara de Souza Telles attributed Lula’s gains to a change in his digital strategy and student-led protests that were mostly organised without the president’s direct involvement.