Brazilian presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro on Sunday refused to accept President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s victory in the country’s presidential election, saying he would seek to annul the results over a controversial extension of voting hours.
I am going to request the annulment of these elections,” Flávio Bolsonaro said in a brief speech in Brasília, describing the decision to extend voting hours as “unacceptable” and a “dirty trick”, according to AFP. “It is impossible to recognise the results.
Earlier reporting noted: Brazil’s Lula da Silva defies odds to clinch poll victory against Flavio Bolsonaro Brazil’s leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva pulled off a dramatic comeback on Sunday (October 25, 2026) as he clinched election victory against right-wing senator Flavio Bolsonaro , who trounced him in the first round. Earlier reporting noted: According to official results, he won 51.75% of the votes to 48.25% for Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who had entered election day confident with his lead in the polls. Because of heavy rainfall, flavio Bolsonaro also requested an extension in some regions.
The election was marked by confusion after a Brazilian Supreme Court ruling extended voting by two hours beyond the scheduled closing time. The decision came following requests from both candidates over disruptions affecting voters in different parts of the country. Lula had sought an extension after reporting that buses used to transport voters had been withdrawn from service in several cities, potentially preventing people from reaching polling stations. However, the defeated candidate criticised the final decision, citing it as grounds to challenge the election outcome. Lula’s victory, Brazil staved off a conservative wave that has seen numerous countries — such as Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Peru — all shift right, backed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Earlier reporting noted: With Mr.
Lula secured an unprecedented fourth presidential term, winning 51.8% of the vote against 48.2% for Bolsonaro, according to official results. The margin amounted to nearly 4.4 million votes.
