São Paulo – In the official count of Brazil’s presidential runoff held on Sunday, incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has taken the lead with 50.14 % of the votes, according to results from 50.1 % of the ballots counted. Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, the far‑right candidate, remains close behind with 49.86 %. The candidate who secures more than 50 % of valid votes will assume the presidency on 5 January for a four‑year term. The counting process was marked by confusion after a Supreme Court judge extended the voting period by two hours at the request of Lula’s campaign, even though the first ballots had already begun to be tallied.
Article source: El Nuevo Diario | Image credit: El Nuevo Diario