Brazil election: Lula, Bolsonaro cast votes in final bout

Brazil election: Lula, Bolsonaro cast votes in final bout

The full report

Almost 160 million are eligible to vote in the final round of Brazil's election that pits the left-wing incumbent against the son of the former far-right president, according to DW News. The election is a closely contested one, with the two candidates running head-to-head in pre-election polls. The head of Brazil's Supreme Federal Court, Edson Fachin, has called for the candidates to respect the result of Sunday's vote, emphasizing the importance of popular sovereignty. DW News reports that the president of Brazil's Superior Electoral Court, Kassio Nunes Marques, expects the winner of Sunday's vote to be announced officially between 8.30 p.m. and 9 p.m. (2330 and 0000 GMT).

The election is seen as a significant moment in Latin America, with a Bolsonaro win potentially marking a further move toward pro-US far-right leaders, following in the footsteps of countries such as Colombia, Chile, and Peru. DW News notes that US President Donald Trump is close to the Bolsonaro family, although he has not endorsed either candidate. Lula has presented himself as a defense against US interference, stating that the right "wants to govern with the American flag."

The voting process in Brazil uses an electronic voting system, allowing for quicker tallying of ballots compared to elections where paper votes are counted by hand. However, the gap between the winner and loser is expected to be small, which may lead to a close and potentially contentious result. DW News reports that the candidates have been urged to respect the outcome of the election, with the head of the Supreme Federal Court emphasizing the importance of popular sovereignty.

The election is a significant moment for Brazil, with the country facing major challenges in various areas. The head of the Supreme Federal Court has called for the candidates to respect the result of Sunday's vote, emphasizing the need for peace and calm to address these challenges. DW News reports that the winner of the election is expected to be announced officially between 8.30 p.m. and 9 p.m. (2330 and 0000 GMT).