Polling stations open in Brazil: Lula and Bolsonaro face off in presidential elections

Today, in Brazil, more than 158 million citizens have been called to vote in the presidential and legislative elections. Polling stations remained open throughout the day, and results are expected shortly, with the first projections to arrive after 10:00 PM Italian time.

According to various polls, a tight competition is anticipated between the incumbent president Jair Bolsonaro, leader of the Liberal Party, and the leftist candidate Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Recent surveys indicate Bolsonaro at 47% and Lula around 45%, suggesting a possible runoff.

References from multiple sources indicate that, although Bolsonaro appears to be ahead, the results could be influenced by votes coming from left-leaning strongholds, which have not yet been significantly counted. This could change the dynamics of the vote.

Previous polls had positioned Lula as the favorite, but the situation has become highly competitive, with Bolsonaro gaining strength as the counting progresses. Currently, it is estimated that the presidential runoff will take place on October 25, unless one of the candidates secures enough votes for a direct victory.

Additionally, there have been reports of a federal police investigation into alleged foreign interference, particularly by the United States, in the context of the elections. This has added another layer of scrutiny and complexity to the electoral competition.

Voter turnout is high, with compulsory voting implemented electronically. Electoral authorities hope to ensure transparency and security during the counting, as they await official results and any potential disputes. At one point, with about 85% of the votes counted, Bolsonaro holds a slight lead, while Lula seeks to close the gap.