Brazilians head to polls in high-stakes, closely contested presidential election

On Sunday, polls opened in Brazil for one of the most tightly contested elections in the country’s history. Incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is running for a fourth non-consecutive term, facing off against Flavio Bolsonaro.

Brazilians are voting in the first round of a narrowly split election after a campaign dominated ‌by corruption scandals, economic anxiety and accusations of U.S. meddling.

80 year old President Lula da Silva is seeking a fourth term, while 45 year old son of former president Jairo Bolsonaro, hopes to return his father’s right-wing movement to power.

More than half a million people turned out to join Lula da Silva at the final rally of his campaign in Brazil making this one of the largest displays of political support in the world.

The election could shape Brazil’s political direction and influence wider regional dynamics. If no candidate secures more than 50% of valid votes, a runoff is set for October 25.