Brazil 2026 Election Live: Lula vs. Flavio Bolsonaro in Runoff Vote Count

Brazil's Superior Electoral Court halted the vote count in the presidential runoff between Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro, with polls having closed at 5 p.m. local time. The court president confirmed bus shortages in some areas but did not address extending voting hours. The election follows Lula's narrow 2022 victory over Jair Bolsonaro, which sparked riots on January 8 when supporters stormed government buildings in Brasilia, later described by the Supreme Court as a coup attempt. Lula posted a message thanking supporters ahead of the October 25 vote. UNIORE observers reported voting began punctually and transparently. In Rio, Flavio Bolsonaro won the first round, but left-wing strongholds like Laranjeiras show strong support for Lula, with voters expressing concerns about far-right threats to human rights and calling the race "the most contested in years."