Brazil extends presidential runoff voting by two hours amid bad weather
In short
Brazil's Supreme Court extended voting in the October 25 presidential runoff from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Korean outlets reported. Heavy rain and flooding disrupted access to polling stations as Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva faced Flávio Bolsonaro.
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Brazil's Supreme Court extended the deadline for voting in the October 25 presidential runoff from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Newsis and Chosun Ilbo reported. Justice Cristiano Zanin accepted a request from President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's side as voters chose between the incumbent and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]
Newsis reported that the court cited heavy rain and flooding that prevented voters from reaching polling stations. Lula's campaign argued that insufficient public transport services in major cities including São Paulo and Salvador had impaired people's ability to vote. According to the same report, Bolsonaro's side also sought an extension until 7 p.m. from the Superior Electoral Court, citing adverse weather in São Paulo, Paraná and Santa Catarina. [ 14 ]
Voting began at 8 a.m. on October 25 at about 500,000 polling stations nationwide, Yonhap and Kyunghyang Shinmun reported. Newsis said the later deadline was expected to push back counting and the announcement of the winner. Brazil uses electronic voting machines, with results announced within hours of polling stations closing, according to Yonhap. [ 3 , 7 , 8 , 14 ]
The contest remained close in final opinion polls. Yonhap reported that Datafolha put Bolsonaro at 51% of valid votes and Lula at 49%, a difference within the poll's margin of error of two percentage points. A Quaest poll also showed a two-point gap. Bolsonaro led the October 4 first round, while Lula's supporters rallied before the runoff. Lula was seeking a fourth presidential term. Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, had promised to pardon his father if elected, Yonhap reported. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The extension gives voters affected by weather and transport problems more time to cast ballots. Newsis reported that counting and the announcement of the winner could also be delayed.
Key facts
- The voting deadline was extended from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]
- Justice Cristiano Zanin accepted an extension request from Lula's side. [ 13 , 14 ]
- Newsis reported that heavy rain and flooding prevented voters from reaching polling stations. [ 14 ]
- The final Datafolha poll put Bolsonaro at 51% and Lula at 49%, within the margin of error. [ 3 , 5 ]