Bishops question Lula's reelection without evidence

An international commission of bishops linked to the Apostolic Confluence Movement has refused to recognize President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's reelection, alleging electoral fraud without presenting evidence. The group has requested an independent investigation. The declaration, published Monday on Instagram, questions Lula's vote growth of over 10 million between election rounds compared to Senator Flávio Bolsonaro's increase of 3.7 million. It also cites abstention, blank votes, and polls as justification, though analysts note vote migration from eliminated candidates can explain such shifts. Lula won Sunday's runoff with 64,256,232 votes (51.79%) against Bolsonaro's 59,826,041 (48.21%). Brazil's electoral court chief affirmed the election proceeded normally. Bolsonaro, who also alleged fraud without proof, fled to the United States after federal police sought his passport's seizure.