Brazil runoff ballot count resumes after two-hour voting extension amid election concerns
Voting extended nationwide
Supreme court justice Cristiano Zanin ordered a two-hour extension to voting in Brazil’s presidential runoff on Sunday. Polls had initially been due to close at 5pm Brasília time, and Lula’s campaign had sought the extension.
The campaign said authorities in several cities were limiting access to public transport. Allegations of attempted voter suppression had been reported in at least 10 states, where transport was described as severely restricted. Lula told reporters that something “abominable” was happening, according to the report.
Closures create uncertainty
The extension was announced shortly before the original closing time, and some polling stations had already shut. Because Brazil uses electronic voting machines, closed stations could not be reopened.
It remains unclear whether people arriving after the initial deadline were allowed to vote at affected locations. Rules usually permit only those already in line to cast ballots after polls close, while ballot counting was already underway when the extension was ordered.
Online campaign dispute
Lula’s lawyers also submitted allegations about Instagram to the electoral court and international observers. They said Lula was unable to boost posts for almost 24 hours, while Flávio Bolsonaro could, and presented the episode as evidence that Meta was intervening in the election in Bolsonaro’s favour.
Meta rejected the claims as “false and unfounded” and said technical incidents had affected campaigns from different parts of the political spectrum. The electoral court later ordered Meta not to give either candidate unequal treatment.
Supporters mobilize online
More than 600 Brazilian fan groups for international and Brazilian music stars backed Lula, organizing an online campaign after Flávio Bolsonaro led the first round on 4 October. Lula’s Workers’ party and other leftwing groups organized a rally on São Paulo’s Avenida Paulista earlier this month.
A Billie Eilish fan who helps run Info Billie Brasil said the first-round result prompted the community to support Lula’s re-election. The rally’s organizers estimated that more than a million people attended.
Key points
- Voting continued for two extra hours after a request from Lula’s campaign.
- Some polling stations had already closed and could not reopen.
- The extension and transport restrictions have prompted questions about access to voting.
- Meta denied allegations that it favoured Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign.