Brazil holds general elections with Lula and Bolsonaro as main rivals
Presidential vote is part of nationwide elections; 13 candidates are running and a runoff is scheduled for October 25 if no one wins a majority.
General elections are taking place in Brazil today, including a presidential contest in which the main rivals are incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro—whom Lula defeated four years ago.
There are 13 presidential candidates on the ballot. If no candidate wins more than 50 percent of the vote, the two leading contenders will advance to a runoff scheduled for October 25. Around 158 million Brazilians are eligible to vote.
At 80 years old, Lula is among the world’s oldest sitting heads of state. He is competing in his seventh presidential election and is attempting to secure a fourth term.
Key issues
The two front‑runners represent sharply different approaches on a range of topics, including the fight against organized crime, protection of the Amazon, and relations with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Voting in Brazil is compulsory. In addition to the president, voters are choosing federal and provincial representatives, governors and some senators.
Balloting is conducted via electronic voting machines, and results are typically released a few hours after polling stations close.
Photo: press material from the event
