Brazilian voters head to the polls on Sunday for a crucial presidential election after frontrunners wrapped up their final campaign events. Incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and right-wing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro held competing rallies across São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, highlighting a deeply divided nation. Latest polls indicate Lula maintains a narrow lead, but neither candidate is expected to secure an outright majority in the first round, likely forcing a runoff scheduled for October 25.
The 80-year-old Lula concluded his campaign with a large march through São Paulo, framing the vote as a fundamental choice between democracy and the far right. He also warned against foreign interference, pointing to interest from US political figures as an effort to meddle in Brazilian sovereignty. Nearly 160 million registered voters are deciding not only the presidency but also seats for lawmakers, governors, and senators amid economic frustration and voter fatigue.
Flávio Bolsonaro, 45, led a motorcycle caravan before gathering supporters in Rio de Janeiro, where he carried a portrait of his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro. The senior Bolsonaro is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence for attempting to overturn his 2022 election defeat to Lula. The younger Bolsonaro has pledged to seek his father's release and has questioned the reliability of Brazil's electronic voting system. His campaign also faces scrutiny over a film-funding scandal involving a jailed banker and a Supreme Court investigation into alleged defamatory statements.
With polls suggesting a significantly tighter contest than Lula’s victory four years ago, both campaigns are vying for undecided voters who feel alienated by both political factions. While some voters express concerns over the rising cost of living, others worry about potential post-election disputes, underscoring the high stakes for South America's largest democracy.