Brazil electoral disputes still linger as Bolsonaro is still pursuing selection against leftist rival and former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in a highly-divisive contest, even with closed Brazil polls.
Brazilians queued at polling stations across the country on Sunday, as well as in many countries around the world – including the UK, to vote for the next president. Italy and Bulgaria recently had their general elections, with the latter holding her 4th in 18 months.
At least 120 million Brazilians were expected to cast their votes in the election that could either result in left-wing da Silva (Neymar-supported candidate) also known as Lula – returning to the helm, or far-right Bolsonaro remaining in office for another four years.
Prepoll predictions Opinion polls have so far suggested that former metalworker and union leader da Silva, 76, could make a comeback.
If Da Silva wins more than 50 percent of the general votes, he could win the election without the need for another voting round on 30 October.
In 2018, Da Silva could not run when Bolsonaro won, as he was banned from running over a corruption and money laundering conviction, for which he was sentenced to 12 years in prison. He only served 19 months before he was acquitted of all charges.
Speaking to the press before casting his vote Day Silva said:
“I want to try to make the country return to normality, try to make this country again take care of its people.”
Da Silva has built his campaign on Bolsonaro’s woes. The current president is a retired military officer who has been criticized for his handling of the Covid pandemic, worsening poverty, and the most intense deforestation of the Amazon rainforest in 15 years.
During his administration, 33 million Brazilians were going hungry in the six months through to April this year, according to a study by several charities including Oxfam.
