Watch: How Brazil's dramatic election unfolded

Brazil's presidential election is heading to a run-off on October 25 between incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and challenger Flávio Bolsonaro. The race follows the tenure of former President Jair Bolsonaro, marking a significant moment in Brazilian politics.
Why it matters
The outcome of this election will determine the future political and economic direction of Latin America's largest democracy.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, 80, is running for his fourth non-consecutive term in office, while his challenger, right-winger Flávio Bolsonaro, 45, is competing in his first presidential race.
His father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, governed Brazil from 2019 to 2022.
With the election now heading to a run-off on 25 October, BBC correspondent Ione Wells unpacks the results.
Also covering this story
7 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Brazil’s neck-and-neck election offers test for growing pro-Trump Latin American bloc
Brazil election: Lula, Flavio Bolsonaro head to runoff after tight first-round vote
Lula ahead in polls for Brazil’s first-round vote; runoff likely
Brazil votes, with Lula facing Bolsonaro's son
What to know about Brazil’s 2026 presidential election
Brazil Heads To Run-Off As Bolsonaro Pulls Off Shock 1st Place Before Lula
Lula or Bolsonaro: Wall Street braces for two wildly different results in Brazil election
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in