Brazil election heads to run-off after Bolsonaro leads first-round count
With 99 per cent of votes counted, Flávio Bolsonaro led incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, but neither secured an outright majority.
Brazil’s presidential election will be decided in a run-off between Flávio Bolsonaro and incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on 25 October. Neither candidate passed the 50 per cent threshold needed to win outright.
The BBC reported that, with 99 per cent of votes counted, Bolsonaro had 47.03 per cent and Lula 45.16 per cent. The figures are from a partial count.
Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, was endorsed by his father after the former president was barred from running. Lula is seeking another term.
The BBC reported that Bolsonaro’s Liberal Party had the most governors, senators and federal deputies elected in results so far. Final seat totals were not provided.
The campaign has centred on sovereignty, crime, the economy and corruption. The run-off will determine which candidate leads Brazil’s next government.
