Brazil's presidential election polls close, vote counting begins

Polls have officially closed in Brazil's presidential election after a two-hour extension, with the country and international community awaiting the first results. The vote between Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro is now in the counting phase. The Supreme Electoral Court granted the extension following requests from both campaigns, citing transportation problems in states like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, as well as heavy rainfall affecting voter turnout. Bolsonaro led the first round by over 2.2 million votes, with more than 33 million registered voters abstaining. Brazil's fully electronic voting system, in use since the 1990s, allows results to be transmitted securely to Brasília within hours. The election also includes races for six state governorships, with the outcome carrying historic significance for social policy, climate change, and relations with the US.