The brazil election is underway Sunday as voters choose between incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro in a presidential runoff that could reshape the country’s political direction.
Polling stations opened at 8 a.m. and are scheduled to close at 5 p.m. Brasília time on October 25, 2026.
Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court, known as the TSE, has set one national voting schedule based on the capital’s official time.
The election is taking place after neither candidate secured enough support to win the presidency outright in the first round on October 4.
The TSE’s official election calendar established October 25 as the date for any presidential second round.
Table of Contents
Brazil election puts Lula against Flávio Bolsonaro
Lula, the Workers’ Party candidate, is seeking another term in office.
Flávio Bolsonaro, a Liberal Party senator and the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, is representing the country’s conservative opposition in the runoff.
The contest has drawn attention well beyond Brazil because it pits the incumbent left-wing leader against a candidate carrying the Bolsonaro family name and its broader right-wing political movement.
Voters are also choosing governors in six states in the second round, while the first round decided contests for Congress, state legislatures and other offices.
The presidential vote remains the central national contest.
What voters are deciding
The result will determine Brazil’s executive leadership and influence the direction of policy in Latin America’s largest economy.
Issues surrounding public security, the economy, government spending, environmental policy and Brazil’s relationship with major international powers have featured prominently in the campaign.
The next president will also face a divided and politically competitive Congress, making coalition-building an important part of governing after the election.
Any policy changes will depend not only on the presidential result but also on the balance of support in the National Congress.
For Canadians, the outcome could matter through Brazil’s role in global agriculture, mining, climate negotiations, trade and diplomatic affairs.
The election may also affect the tone of Brazil’s relations with North American governments.
How many people can vote
The TSE says roughly 158.7 million people are eligible to participate in Brazil’s 2026 general election, making it the country’s largest electorate on record.
The court has reported that more than 141 million registered voters have biometric information on file.
Voting is compulsory for most Brazilians between the ages of 18 and 70.
It is optional for voters aged 16 or 17, people over 70 and people who are unable to read or write, subject to Brazil’s electoral rules.
Brazilian citizens living abroad vote only in the presidential contest.
Voters inside Brazil use electronic voting machines, with the system designed to transmit results quickly after polls close.
When Brazil election results are expected
The first official results are expected after voting ends and the electoral authorities begin consolidating voting-machine totals.
The TSE has created an official results portal for the 2026 elections, where presidential, gubernatorial and legislative results can be followed as they are released.
Because voting is electronic, Brazil typically publishes meaningful early returns relatively quickly.
The final outcome, however, depends on the completion and confirmation of the national count.
As of Sunday afternoon in Brazil, no winner had been declared in the presidential runoff.
The result will be determined by whichever candidate receives the greater number of valid votes in the second round.
What happens after the vote
Once the TSE confirms the result, the winning ticket will move toward the formal transition process before taking office on January 5, 2027.
The defeated candidate’s party will remain an important force in Congress and across Brazil’s states, meaning the election will not end the country’s political divisions.
The result will also establish the political conditions for debates over the economy, public safety, the Amazon, relations with the United States and Brazil’s role in international organizations.
CTCNews.ca will update this story when the TSE publishes official results.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Brazil’s 2026 presidential runoff?
Brazil’s presidential runoff is being held on Sunday, October 25, 2026.
Who is running in Brazil’s presidential runoff?
The runoff is between incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of the Workers’ Party and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro of the Liberal Party.
What time do polls close in Brazil?
Polling stations are scheduled to operate from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Brasília time.
How many people are eligible to vote in Brazil?
About 158.7 million voters are eligible to participate in Brazil’s 2026 general election.
Where can readers follow Brazil election results?
Official results are published through the Superior Electoral Court’s 2026 election results portal.
Fact-Checked: Key dates, voting hours, electorate figures and official results information were checked against Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court.
Disclaimer: Early election information can change as official vote totals are reported and certified.