Brazil presidential election opens first round of voting

China News Service, Sao Paulo, October 4 (Reporter Lin Chunyin) At 8:00 on the 4th, Brasilia time, the first round of voting for Brazil’s 2026 presidential election began. The first-round results are expected to be announced within hours after voting closes on the day.

On October 4, local time, voters lined up to enter the polling station in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The first round of voting for Brazil’s 2026 presidential election will begin on the 4th, Brasilia time, and the first-round results are expected to be announced within a few hours after the voting closes that day. Photo by China News Service reporter Lin Chunyin

The polling station will close at 17:00 that day. Voters will elect the president, vice president, 26 state governors and 1 federal district (Brasilia) governor, 54 federal senators, 513 federal representatives, and state and federal district legislators.

On October 4, local time, a voter was casting his vote at a state school polling station in Sao Bernardo do Campo, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. The first round of voting for Brazil’s 2026 presidential election began on the 4th, Brasilia time. Photo by China News Service reporter Lin Chunyin

There are more than 10 candidates registered to run in this presidential election. Previous Brazilian polling data showed that Lula, the current president of Brazil and candidate of the Labor Party, and Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro and candidate of the Liberal Party, ranked in the top two in support rates. The support rates of other candidates were far behind the two.

At about 9:00 on October 4, local time, Lula, the current president of Brazil and candidate of the Labor Party, gave a speech after voting at a state school polling station in Sao Bernardo do Campo, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Photo by China News Service reporter Lin Chunyin

According to the schedule announced by the Brazilian High Electoral Court, if no candidate obtains more than half of the valid votes in the first round of voting, the two candidates with the most votes will enter the second round on October 25.