Lula wins Brazil vote as Bolsonaro and Trump challenge results

Brazil’s presidential election has entered a contentious phase, with outgoing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva claiming victory while his rival, Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, prepares to contest the results. President Donald Trump amplified the dispute on Monday, stating that the vote appeared rigged, though he offered no specific evidence to support the claim.

The election timeline moved quickly on Sunday, October 25. A Supreme Court justice ordered a nationwide extension of voting minutes before the 5 p.m. deadline. Both candidates requested the extra time, with Lula citing transportation issues in São Paulo and Salvador, and Bolsonaro pointing to heavy rains in the south. The delay disrupted the usual rapid tallying process that relies on Brazil’s electronic voting machines, which have been in use since the 1990s to prevent fraud.

Despite the chaotic end to the day, the outcome was clear. Lula, who will turn 81 this year, collected more than 64 million votes. Flávio Bolsonaro received just under 60 million votes. The margin represented nearly 4% of the total, giving the incumbent a decisive lead for his fourth non-consecutive term.

Lula’s victory hinged on mobilizing new voters. Approximately 14.1 million people participated in the runoff who had not voted in the first round or had supported other candidates. Lawmaker André Janones managed Lula’s digital strategy, using a WhatsApp channel called “Lula’s Army” that reached nearly 11 million people. This aggressive social media push helped the campaign overcome a sluggish first-round performance.

Flávio Bolsonaro announced on Sunday that he intends to seek an annulment of the election. His father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, is currently serving a 27-year sentence for a coup attempt and also unsuccessfully challenged the 2022 election results. Flávio Bolsonaro visited his father, who is under house arrest, on Monday.

International reaction has been mixed. Trump told reporters before leaving for Mississippi that the election “looked very bad” and “looked like another rigged election.” In contrast, Brazil’s electoral authority president, Kassio Nunes, recognized Lula’s win on Sunday. Regional leaders, including conservative presidents, have also indicated they will respect the results.

Lula is scheduled to take office on January 5, 2027. He faces a right-wing Congress where Bolsonaro’s party holds the most seats, as well as potential fiscal challenges. The next step in the legal process is unclear, as it remains undetermined which specific court avenue Flávio Bolsonaro will use to file his annulment request.