2nd October, 2022
Brazil’s right-wing incumbent Jair Bolsonaro will today face a challenge from the left-wing former president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva after a heated election campaign.
As scheduled, millions of Brazilians will head to the polls to elect a new president.
Lula, who ruled Brazil between 2003-2010, is ahead in the polls.
But Bolsonaro has cast doubts on the electoral system in advance and indicated that he might not recognise the result.
The election has divided Latin America’s largest economy.
Lula has accused Bolsonaro of “genocide” because of his hesitant coronavirus policy, while Bolsonaro calls Lula a “thief” as the former president has been convicted for corruption and spent time in prison.
At least three Lula supporters have been killed by suspected Bolsonaro supporters in recent months.
The incumbent’s supporters have repeatedly openly called for a military coup.
More than 156 million people are eligible to vote in Sunday’s presidential election.
MPs, senators, and governors are also being elected. Voting is compulsory.
If none of the presidential candidates receives more than 50 per cent of the votes on the first ballot, the two strongest candidates will meet in a run-off on Oct. 30.
dpa/NAN