Brazil votes in presidential runoff between Lula and Bolsonaro

Brazil is holding its decisive presidential runoff on Sunday, October 25, with incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva facing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. Both candidates have already cast their votes, and initial results are expected overnight into October 26. Lula, voting near São Paulo, warned against political violence and referenced an attack on a leftist councilwoman, while Bolsonaro, voting in Rio de Janeiro, urged voters to turn out and promised change. The race follows a tense first round on October 4, which Bolsonaro unexpectedly won with 47% against Lula's 45%. The campaign has been marked by corruption scandals, economic instability, and US interference allegations. Bolsonaro, son of imprisoned ex-president Jair Bolsonaro, has promised harsher crime measures and amnesty for his father, while over 33 million first-round non-voters could significantly influence the outcome.