BRASILIA — Voting began across Brazil on Sunday as nearly 159 million eligible voters cast ballots to choose the country’s president, state governors, members of Congress and state lawmakers.
The presidential race is led by incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of the Workers’ Party and Sen. Flavio Bolsonaro of the Liberal Party, the only candidates polling in double digits among the 12 contenders seeking the presidency.
Polling stations opened at 8 a.m. local time and are scheduled to close at 5 p.m.
Under Brazilian law, a presidential candidate must secure more than 50% of valid votes to win in the first round. If no candidate reaches that threshold, the two leading contenders will advance to a runoff on Oct. 25.
Voters are also choosing governors and vice governors in Brazil’s 26 states and Federal District, all 513 members of the Chamber of Deputies, two-thirds of the Federal Senate and members of state legislatures.
The campaign has been marked by sharp political divisions, with public security, the economy and foreign policy among the key issues.
Brazil uses electronic voting machines nationwide, allowing official results to begin being released shortly after polls close.
Source: Saudi Gazette