Brazil election headed to runoff, projection shows, as Bolsonaro lead narrows

The two leading candidates in Brazil's presidential election are expected to head into a second round vote, Brazilian pollster Datafolha says. | AFP-JIJI

Reuters

Oct 5, 2026

BRASILIA/SAO PAULO/RIO DE JANEIRO – Sen. Flavio Bolsonaro held a narrowing lead in the first round of Brazil’s presidential election on Sunday, after more than half the votes were counted, with pollster Datafolha projecting that the election would proceed to a second vote.

Flavio, the 45-year-old son of former President Jair Bolsonaro who hopes to return his father’s right-leaning movement to power, was leading left-leaning President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, 80, who is seeking a fourth term, following a campaign dominated by corruption scandals, economic anxiety and accusations of U.S. meddling.

With about 65% of votes reported, Flavio led Lula with 49.58% of the votes to the president’s 42.25%. A candidate must pass 50% in order to win outright in the first round.

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