Brazil's presidential election goes to a run-off between Flavio Bolsonaro and Lula
5 October 2026
Neither candidate reached the 50 per cent of valid votes needed to win outright in the first round held on 4 October 2026.
Flavio Bolsonaro took 47 per cent of valid votes, about 55.8 million; Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva took 44.9 per cent, about 53.2 million.
Brazil's electoral court confirmed on 4 October 2026, with nearly 99 per cent of votes reported, that the two would advance to a run-off on 25 October 2026.
The Superior Electoral Court had said 158.745.463 voters were eligible, 1.46 per cent more than in 2022.
Voters also chose senators and federal deputies on the same day, and right-wing parties led by Bolsonaro's Liberal Party performed strongly in both houses of Congress.
In plain words
TSE Tribunal Superior Eleitoral (Superior Electoral Court) — Brazil's highest electoral authority, which runs elections and declares the results.
Run-off second round of voting — A further vote between the two leading candidates when no one wins a majority in the first round.