Flávio Bolsonaro leads incumbent president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the first round of Brazil’s mega-elections on October 4, 2026, with partial returns showing the right-wing candidate near the 50% threshold needed to avoid a runoff, according to initial projections reported by ANSA and Corriere della Sera.
Millions of Brazilians cast ballots in compulsory election
Almost 158 million Brazilians were eligible to cast ballots across the country’s 26 states and the Federal District, alongside more than one million voters residing abroad, Corriere della Sera reported. Polling stations opened at 8 a.m. and closed at 5 p.m. Brasília time. Voting is compulsory, keeping abstention low, while participation remains optional for teenagers aged 16 and 17, people over 70, and illiterate citizens.
Datafolha projections based on 55.6% of verified votes placed Flávio Bolsonaro at 49.17% of valid ballots against 42.01% for the incumbent progressive leader Lula da Silva, ANSA reported. Earlier counts with roughly 40% of votes tabulated showed Bolsonaro at 50.4% and Lula at 41.4%. Analysts note that early tallies typically favor conservative candidates because reporting begins rapidly in wealthy southern states where Bolsonaro commands strong support, before northeastern regions—traditional strongholds for Lula—complete their counts.
Contrasting Platforms in a Polarized Presidential Race
Thirteen candidates entered the presidential contest, though polls consistently pointed to a tight race between the two main contenders. Lula da Silva, the 80-year-old leader of the Workers’ Party seeking a fourth presidential mandate, framed the election as a choice between democratic progress and extremism. He stated that the choice is between democratic revolution, the rights of women and workers
on one side, and barbarism, fascism
on the other. In his final campaign rally in São Paulo, Lula urged older voters to cast their ballots, stating, If you don’t want to vote for yourself, votate for your grandchildren, for your children, for the Brasile.
Flávio Bolsonaro, the 45-year-old senator representing the Liberal Party, ran to succeed his father, former president Jair Bolsonaro, who governed from 2019 to 2022 and was later convicted for a coup attempt. The former president was sentenced to 27 years in prison. Bolsonaro called for a rebellious vote against corruption and what he termed narcoterrorism, emphasizing economic freedom and security. He warned that the time before the runoff could add more blood to our history.
Corriere della Sera noted that Lula is the sole candidate who selected a vice-presidential running mate from a different right-wing formation within his governing coalition.
Electronic voting machines operate without internet connectivity
The electoral process utilizes electronic voting machines designed for rapid tallying, with final results expected hours after polls close. Each voter enters numerical codes—historically 13 for Lula and 22 for Bolsonaro, as detailed by Corriere della Sera—which display the candidate’s photo, name, and party affiliation on screen before confirmation.
The voting system undergoes over 40 verification stages. To safeguard against outside interference, the electronic voting terminals operate without internet, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth connectivity during active voting hours, ensuring no data transmits until polls officially close. Corriere della Sera reported that the system has been heavily contested by Donald Trump and Jair Bolsonaro.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Brazilian Vote
When is the scheduled runoff election if no candidate wins a majority?
A second round runoff is scheduled for October 25, 2026, should no candidate secure 50% plus one of the valid votes in the first round.
What other offices were decided alongside the presidency?
Voters elected governors and vice-governors for all 26 states and the Federal District, all 513 seats in the Chamber of Deputies, and one-third of the 81 Senate seats, totaling 54 seats. The most significant governor races are in Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, and São Paulo. State legislative assemblies were also elected nationwide.
What role do eliminated candidates play ahead of the second round?
Candidates from center-right formations who finished behind the main two captured roughly 10% of the vote, and analysts project their supporters will largely lean toward Flávio Bolsonaro in a runoff.
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