Brazil Extends Runoff Voting by Two Hours as Count Begins

Voting in Brazil's presidential runoff between Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro was extended by two hours on 25 October, after Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin ordered the change. Polls had been set to close at 5pm Brasília time, and voters could now cast ballots until 7pm, according to The Guardian. The extension granted a request from Lula's campaign.

Brazil's Constitution sets second-round presidential votes for the last Sunday in October, when no candidate wins a majority in the first round. The first round was held on 4 October. Reuters reported that Bolsonaro took 47% of the vote in that round to Lula's 45%. A CNT/MDA poll released on 24 October put Flávio Bolsonaro at 47.0% and Lula at 46.0% ahead of the runoff, Reuters reported.

The extension came amid complaints about transport. Lula's campaign alleged that authorities in several cities were restricting voters' access to public transportation. Allegations of attempted voter suppression were reported in at least 10 states where public transport was severely limited.

A local electoral court ordered the immediate restoration of 100% of the bus fleet during the runoff. A state electoral judge also ordered the arrest of mobility official Pablo Souza in connection with buses that had been blocked. Local10 reported that at least 75 public buses were prevented from leaving municipal garages during the vote. The New York Times reported that authorities said 370 buses were affected amid heavy rain and floods.

The count began at 7pm local time. Hundreds of Lula supporters gathered on Paulista Avenue in São Paulo to watch the results, while Flávio Bolsonaro followed the count from the mansion of one of his campaign coordinators in a wealthy area of Brasília. With 13.65% of the vote counted, Flávio Bolsonaro led with 50.01%, according to The Guardian. Early returns of this kind often shift as more ballots are tallied.

The Superior Electoral Court (TSE), Brazil's top body overseeing elections, said in a clarification on the voting extension that it would resume receiving the Boletins de Urna, the tally reports from individual voting machines, and would total votes and disclose results after 19h. Electoral sections normally operate from 8h to 17h Brasília time, the TSE said in an earlier notice.