Summary

  • Brazilians are voting to choose their new president in a closely fought run-off election - polls will close at 17:00 local time (20:00 GMT)

  • It is the second round of voting after right-wing senator Flávio Bolsonaro won the first round earlier this month - beating incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, known widely as Lula

  • Bolsonaro is the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who was given a 27-year prison sentence for a failed coup after losing the 2022 election, and is now under house arrest

  • Flávio Bolsonaro secured 47% of the vote to Lula's 45% in the first round, exceeding expectations but falling short of an outright majority

  • Arriving at a polling station in Rio de Janeiro early this morning, Bolsonaro told reporters the "time has come for real change"

  • Meanwhile, Lula greeted supporters outside a polling station as he cast his vote in São Bernardo do Campo

Live Reporting

Edited by Charlotte Hadfield, with Ione Wells reporting from Rio de Janeiro

  1. Bolsonaro casts his vote in today's election

    Brazil's presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro of the Liberal Party (PL) and his wife Fernanda Bolsonaro gesture at a polling station during the presidential runoff election, in Rio de Janeiro, BrazilReuters

    Right-wing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro could be seen with his wife Fernanda Bolsonaro today after casting his vote in the Brazilian presidency election.

    The candidate thanked his supporters in a social media post earlier, calling on voters to build a Brazil for all Brazilians.

  2. Lula greets supporters outside polling station after casting vote

    Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva poses with his thumbs up while wearing a white shirt in a polling stationReuters

    President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, known widely as Lula, could be seen casting his vote in today's election in São Bernardo do Campo, posing for photographs afterwards.

    The Workers' Party (PT) candidate said in a post on X earlier that the time has come to transform the hope of the Brazilian people into victory.

    Lula was also pictured greeting supporters outside the polling station.

    Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the Workers' Party (PT) candidate for re-election, greets supporters outside a polling station after voting during the presidential runoff election, in Sao Bernardo do Campo, BrazilReuters

  3. Brazilians head to polls to choose next president

    This combination of file pictures created on August 15, 2026, shows Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia on July 22, 2026; and Brazilian Senator and presidential hopeful Flavio Bolsonaro in Brasilia, on June 22, 2026.Sergio Lima and Evaristo SA / AFP via Getty Images

    Brazilians are heading to the polls to choose their new president in a closely fought run-off election.

    The choice is between incumbent left-wing leader Luíz Inácio Lula da Silva and right-wing candidate Flávio Bolsonaro.

    Bolsonaro is the son of the former president, Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year prison sentence for masterminding a failed coup after losing the 2022 election, and is now under house arrest.

    The younger Bolsonaro, who has the backing of his father, won the first round of voting on 4 October with 47% of votes, ahead of Lula's 45% - but fell short of an outright majority.

    Lula, 80, has described the run-off as a choice between democracy and "barbarism". While Bolsonaro, 45, has pledged to "free the Brazilian people".

    Polls suggest sovereignty, crime, inclusion, welfare, the economy and corruption are some of voters' top concerns.

    Stay with us and our teams in Rio, São Paulo and Brasilia for updates, reaction and analysis.