By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON –Brazilian President Lula on Monday defeated presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro who has refused to concede the election to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and announced plans to seek the annulment of Sunday’s run-off, alleged irregularities linked to a last-minute extension of voting hours.
A Supreme Court decision to extend voting until 7 pm triggered a dispute over election procedures. Both rival campaigns had sought additional time, according to Brazilian media
Bolsonaro, a senator from the Liberal Party, questioned the decision to keep some polling stations open for an additional two hours.
He accused judicial authorities of changing election procedures during voting but did not present evidence that the decision had altered the outcome.
Lula, represented the Workers’ Party secured an unprecedented 4th presidential term.
The result also marked the first time since Brazil introduced its current two-round presidential election system in 1989 that a candidate who finished second in the first round went on to win the run-off.
The Superior Electoral Court confirmed that Lula received 64,256,232 votes, or 51.79 per cent of valid ballots, against Bolsonaro’s 59,826,041 votes, or 48.21 per cent. The margin was 4,430,191 votes.
Bolsonaro’s objections centre on a decision by Supreme Federal Court Justice Cristiano Zanin to extend voting until 7 pm in affected areas after complaints about difficulties faced by voters trying to reach polling stations.
The decision followed concerns over access to public transport, with reports of reduced services in some municipalities.
Both presidential campaigns had sought additional voting time, according to Brazil’s public news agency Agência Brasil.
Bolsonaro alleged that the extension had undermined equal treatment of voters across the country.
He said his legal team would seek to overturn the election.
Bolsonaro also questioned the role of judicial authorities and alleged that inspectors representing his party had been removed from a secure room during the electoral process.
Lula declared that Brazil would not be subordinate to foreign powers.
“Brazil is no one’s backyard,” he said in remarks shared on X, while claimed his campaign had defeated foreign interference through digital platforms.
Lula, 80-year-old also credited voter participation with protecting Brazil’s democracy and promised to give citizens a greater role in government decisions.
His victory represents a remarkable political recovery after trailing Bolsonaro in the first round earlier this month.
The campaign had been shaped by concerns over living costs, public security and corruption.
Lula, a former trade union leader and factory worker, served as President from 2003 to 2010 before returning to office in 2023.
His latest victory secures another four-year term beginning in January 2027.
The result also carries wider diplomatic significance. Lula has advocated a more independent foreign policy, closer engagement with the Global South and stronger ties with China after tensions with the current US administration of Donald Trump.
