Brazil's Presidential Runoff Marred by Voting Chaos and Legal Risks

Brazil's presidential runoff election descended into chaos on Sunday as both candidates, incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and senator Flávio Bolsonaro, secured a court order to extend voting by two hours, raising the risk of legal challenges over the final result. The Supreme Court judge Cristiano Zanin approved the extension to 7 p.m. Brasilia time after Lula's campaign alleged tactics to suppress turnout, including a bus disruption in Salvador that led to an arrest warrant. Bolsonaro's campaign joined the request, citing weather issues, but the decision was unevenly applied, with many polling stations already closed and no protocol for reopening. With polls showing a tight race and Bolsonaro leading by two million votes after the first round, the disarray has damaged the electoral system's credibility. A final result may face prolonged court battles, with Brazil waking up either to a new president favored by Trump-aligned America and markets, or confirmation of the 80-year-old incumbent, amid deepened polarization.