Brazil's top electoral court defends election integrity after Bolsonaro's challenge

Brazil's top electoral court president, Kassio Nunes Marques, stated Wednesday that the October 25 election "took place in the most absolute normality," following a letter from defeated presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro questioning the results. Marques emphasized that voters "legitimately chose their representatives" and that all legal challenges will be analyzed. The statement came after Bolsonaro, who initially called himself "true elected president" before revising it to "leader of Brazil," alleged without evidence that Lula's victory was a "coup d'état." Bolsonaro fled Brazil with his family citing threats from Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. Police sought his passport seven minutes after results were announced; Lula won with 51.79% of votes. The court extended voting by two hours due to instability.