Brazil election opens with Lula and Bolsonaro in close contest
About 160 million voters are eligible to cast ballots. A presidential run-off is due on 25 October if no candidate wins more than half of valid votes.
Polls have opened in Brazil’s presidential election, with incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva facing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro in a closely contested race, Al Jazeera reports.
About 160 million registered voters are eligible to vote in elections for the presidency, lawmakers, governors and senators. Lula, of the Workers’ Party, is seeking a fourth non-consecutive term and has campaigned on social programmes aimed at reducing inequality.
Bolsonaro, of the Liberal Party and son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, has promised a tough approach to crime and insecurity. Cost-of-living pressures, corruption and concerns about US intervention have also featured in the campaign.
Al Jazeera reports that most pre-election polls showed Lula with a marginal lead, which narrowed in a possible second round. The result remains unknown.
If no presidential candidate receives more than half of valid votes, the two leading candidates will advance to a run-off on 25 October.
