NewsWPLG Local 10October 25, 2026Miami-Dade County
Brazilian voters decide presidential runoff between Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro amid voting delays and transport shortages
Photo: WPLG Local 10
Brazilian voters cast ballots in a presidential runoff election between incumbent leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and right-wing challenger Flávio Bolsonaro, while both campaigns requested voting hour extensions due to transit shortages and severe weather. The Electoral Court oversaw polling closures at 17:00 local time as counting began, amidst disputes over reduced bus fleets in major cities and separate judicial orders regarding voter transport.
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10Why It Matters
The election determines Brazil's leadership for a new presidential term, affecting governance, national transport policies, and judicial relations, with millions of voters participating amid reported transit disruptions in key urban centers.
Key Facts
- Brazilian voters participated in a presidential runoff on Sunday between incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and senator Flávio Bolsonaro.
- Polling stations closed across the country at 17:00 local time, with real-time counting hosted on the Electoral Tribunal's website.
- Both presidential campaigns petitioned the Electoral Tribunal to extend voting hours in specific cities due to reported transport issues and weather conditions.
- President Lula's campaign alleged that mayors in Sao Paulo and Salvador unlawfully reduced operating bus fleets by at least 30% and 40%, respectively.
- Supreme Court judge and Electoral Tribunal president Kássio Nunes acknowledged bus shortages in some cities and stated the situation was being addressed, without immediately ruling on hour extensions.
- An electoral judge in Bahia ordered the arrest of Salvador's mobility secretary for non-compliance with a transport resolution, though the official was abroad in Paris.
- Eduardo Bolsonaro, brother of Flávio Bolsonaro, spoke to supporters in Miami, Florida, calling for judicial reform and the release of political prisoners.
- A federal court in Pará ordered the federal government to secure transport options for indigenous voters across the country to reach polling stations.
Who's Mentioned
PersonEléonore Hughes“AP journalist reporting on the election”PersonMauricio Savarese“AP journalist reporting on the election”OrganizationSupremo Tribunal Federal“Brazil's supreme court”PersonRicardo Nunes“Mayor of Sao Paulo”locationSao Paulo“Brazilian city and state experiencing bus transport shortages”locationEstados Unidos“Country where Eduardo Bolsonaro has lived since 2025”PersonLuiz Inácio Lula da Silva“Current leftist president of Brazil running for another term”locationParís“City where Salvador's mobility secretary traveled”locationPará“State where a federal court issued a transport ruling for indigenous voters”PersonDavi Alcolumbre“Leader of the Brazilian Senate”PersonAlexandre de Moraes“Magistrate of the Supreme Federal Court of Brazil”locationSalvador“Brazilian city experiencing bus transport shortages”locationMiami“City in Florida where Eduardo Bolsonaro addressed supporters”OrganizationPartido de los Trabajadores“Political party of Lula da Silva (PT)”PersonBruno Reis“Mayor of Salvador”PersonJair Bolsonaro“Former president of Brazil, father of Flávio and Eduardo Bolsonaro”locationBrasilia“Capital of Brazil where officials made statements”PersonDonald Trump“Mandatario estadounidense”PersonKássio Nunes“Supreme Court judge and president of Brazil's Electoral Tribunal”PersonEduardo Bolsonaro“Brother of Flávio Bolsonaro, former lawmaker, addressed supporters in Miami”PersonFlávio Bolsonaro“Presidential candidate and senator, ally of Donald Trump”OrganizationTribunal Electoral“Brazil's electoral court managing the election and vote counting”