Brazil vote counting begins after court extends voting time

Vote counting has started in Brazil's presidential election after polling was extended by two hours on October 25, DW and Al Jazeera both reported. According to DW, Brazil's Supreme Court extended voting until 7 p.m. local time (2200 GMT) following complaints from the campaign of leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva that public bus services were restricted, preventing voters from reaching polling stations. [1][2]

DW reported that the campaign team for right-wing candidate Bolsonaro raised concerns about weather conditions in certain areas. Officials expect a very close final result between Lula da Silva and Bolsonaro. DW added that Brazil's electronic voting system means the final outcome could be determined within hours. [1]

The election follows a first-round vote in which Senator Flavio Bolsonaro received 47 percent of the vote and incumbent President Lula da Silva received 45 percent, as FTMQ News reported earlier. Neither candidate achieved an outright majority, which forced the October 25 runoff election. [7][8]

Flavio Bolsonaro is a right-wing senator for Rio de Janeiro and the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, as FTMQ News reported earlier. Lula da Silva has been the president of Brazil since 2023, having previously served as president from 2003 to 2011. [7][8]