Lula, Flavio Bolsonaro head to runoff in Brazil presidential election

BRASILIA, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's presidential election will head to a runoff on Oct. 25 after no candidate secured a majority of valid votes in the first round, official results showed Sunday.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (L), presidential candidate of Brazil's ruling Workers' Party, attends a campaign rally in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Oct. 2, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)

According to results released by the Superior Electoral Court, with over 99 percent of the ballots counted, Flavio Bolsonaro, presidential candidate of Brazil's Liberal Party, garnered about 47 percent of valid votes. Incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of the Workers' Party came in second with about 45 percent.