SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazilians voted on Sunday in a presidential election featuring incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. This election occurs as the political landscape in the region shifts to the right. Flávio Bolsonaro, 45, is the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently serving a 27-year sentence for a coup attempt. Lula, at 80, is running in his seventh presidential election and has focused on strengthening Brazil's ties with China.
Recent elections in Latin America have seen success for candidates aligned with former U.S. President Donald Trump. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes, a runoff will be held on October 25. Brazil has nearly 159 million eligible voters who will also elect 27 state governors, members of state legislatures, all 513 federal members of the lower house of Congress, and 54 of the 81 senators.
Polls closed at 5 p.m. on Sunday, and vote tallies began shortly after. In the last presidential election, the candidates advancing from the first round were determined by approximately 8 p.m. Brasilia time with nearly 99% of votes counted.
Lula's approval ratings have declined during his third term, but his stance against U.S. intervention has garnered him support. He expressed the need to accomplish more if reelected and showed confidence in winning in the first round.
However, Lula faces challenges, including an affordability crisis and a corruption scandal involving the justice who led the investigation into Jair Bolsonaro. Political science professor Carlos Melo noted that many in Lula's campaign did not anticipate the difficulty of this election.
Flávio Bolsonaro has emphasized his connections to the U.S. government while denying any campaign assistance from them. He has promised to combat Brazilian criminal groups and improve relations with the Trump administration.
Voter sentiments varied, with some supporting Bolsonaro's tough stance on crime, while others expressed concerns about his father's legacy. Lula's supporters highlighted his social policies and opposition to foreign interference.
The Trump administration has been vocal about Latin American elections, endorsing candidates in Colombia and Honduras and opposing Lula's stance on gang classifications. Lula has warned against U.S. meddling in Brazilian elections, with supporters wearing shirts denouncing intervention.
The Organization of American States reported that voting proceeded smoothly and safely, with no significant fraud detected since Brazil's adoption of electronic voting in the 1990s. The president of the Superior Electoral Court, Kassio Nunes Marques, confirmed that there were no indications of international interference.
Voter confidence in the electoral system remains high, with many believing that the rapid reporting of results helps prevent doubts about the integrity of the election process.