Supreme Court extends voting hours nationwide amid logistical disruptions in Brazil's presidential runoff

Millions of voters faced potential disenfranchisement or confusion as polling station hours shifted unexpectedly while transportation shortages affected major cities like Sao Paulo and Salvador.

• •Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin ordered a two-hour extension for voting across Brazil, moving the closing time to 19:00 hours Brasília time.
• •Both presidential candidates, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro, requested voting hour extensions due to logistical issues.
• •Lula's campaign cited a shortage of public buses in nine states, alleging that mayors in Sao Paulo and Salvador reduced bus fleets.
• •Flávio Bolsonaro's campaign requested extensions due to heavy rains in the southern part of the country.
• •The extension announcement caused logistical confusion, resulting in some polling stations and electronic urns closing and shutting down before the order took effect.
• •Supreme Court Justice and Electoral Tribunal head Kássio Nunes acknowledged bus shortages in some cities but stated the situation was being addressed.
• •Eduardo Bolsonaro, brother of Flávio, spoke to supporters in Miami, Florida, calling for judicial reform and the release of political prisoners.
• •Eduardo Bolsonaro was previously convicted and sentenced to four years and two months in prison for illegal pressure related to his father's coup attempt case.