Brazil presidential election heads to a runoff

The presidential election in Brazil has headed to a runoff after no candidate received more than 50 percent of the valid votes in the first round. According to data reported by the official news agency Agência Brasil, at least 99.99 percent of the ballots have been counted.

Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, finished the first round in the lead with 47.03 percent of the vote. Current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva placed second with 45.16 percent. It was stated that the difference between the two candidates is more than 2.2 million votes.

Due to election law requiring an absolute majority in the first round, the two candidates with the most votes will compete in the second round. The runoff election, in which Flavio Bolsonaro and Lula da Silva will face off, will be held on October 25.

158.7 MILLION VOTERS CALLED TO THE POLLS

The elections, in which 158.7 million voters are eligible to cast ballots, began at 08.00 local time. Voters went to the polls in the shadow of economic concerns, corruption debates, and accusations that the U.S. interfered in the election process.

In addition to the presidential race, voters also cast ballots for all 513 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and 54 seats, representing two-thirds of the 81-seat Senate. During the same process, state governors and members of state legislative bodies will also be determined.