Lula wins Brazil runoff as Bolsonaro demands annulment over voting extension

Lula edged out Bolsonaro by about 4.4 million votes after a controversial two‑hour voting extension, prompting the challenger to call for the results to be voided.

By Felo News Desk · Published Mon, 26 Oct 2026 06:43:42 GMT

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was declared the winner of Brazil's presidential runoff on Sunday, October 25, 2026, after the Superior Electoral Court announced a final tally showing him with 51.8% of the vote, a lead of roughly 4.4 million votes over right‑wing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, according to newindianexpress.com.

What happened

The runoff took place on October 25, 2026, following a first‑round vote on October 2 that left the race narrowly split. After the polls closed, the Supreme Court authorized a two‑hour extension of voting time, a move both candidates had requested. With 100% of ballots counted, the electoral court confirmed Lula’s victory at about 9:00 p.m. Brasilia time, reporting more than 64 million votes for Lula and over 59 million for Bolsonaro.

What the reports add

newindianexpress.com noted that the final result gave Lula a 51.8% share of the vote and highlighted the chaotic atmosphere at polling stations after the late extension decision. aljazeera.com reported that Bolsonaro described the extension as “unacceptable” and called for the results to be annulled, emphasizing that both candidates had asked for the extra time. Another aljazeera.com piece added that Lula’s win marks the first time a modern Brazilian politician has lost the first round and then won the second.

What was said

Flávio Bolsonaro told reporters, as cited by newindianexpress.com, that the extension was unprecedented and that the results were “impossible to accept,” urging the electoral court to annul the vote. Lula’s Workers’ Party head, Edinho Silva, posted on social media that the outcome was “a historic turning point for democracy,” according to aljazeera.com.

How it came about

The runoff followed a tightly contested first round, detailed in Felo News’ coverage on October 25 (Brazil’s presidential runoff set for Oct. 25) and the final debate on October 23 (Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro clash in final debate). Earlier in the campaign, both candidates had requested additional voting time, a request that later underpinned the Supreme Court’s decision to extend voting by two hours on election day.

Key facts

Lula received 51.8% of the vote, leading Bolsonaro by about 4.4 million votes. (newindianexpress.com)
The Superior Electoral Court announced the final result shortly after 9:00 p.m. Brasilia time on October 25, 2026. (aljazeera.com)
Both candidates had asked for a two‑hour voting extension, which the Supreme Court granted. (aljazeera.com)

Timeline

2026-10-02 — First‑round presidential election held; Lula and Bolsonaro tied closely.
2026-10-23 — Final televised debate between Lula and Bolsonaro.
2026-10-25 — Runoff election and final result declaration.