Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro End Campaigns Before Brazil Vote
Brazil’s presidential candidates finished campaigning before voters went to the polls on Sunday.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva held a large march in Sao Paulo.
Organizers said about 150,000 people attended.
Lula said the election was about choosing between democracy and barbarism.
Senator Flavio Bolsonaro joined a motorcycle caravan and held a rally.
He said he believed he could win in the first round.
Polls pointed to a possible second round.
If nobody gets more than half of valid votes, the two leading candidates will compete again on October 25.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro ended their campaigns on Saturday, before Sunday’s first-round presidential vote.
Lula held a march in Sao Paulo; organizers said about 150,000 supporters attended along Augusta Street.
Lula described the election as a choice between “democracy and barbarism,” while his party leader said the campaign was gaining momentum.
Flavio Bolsonaro joined a motorcycle caravan in Sao Paulo state and later rallied in Rio de Janeiro, predicting a first-round win.
If no candidate wins more than 50% of valid votes, the two leading candidates advance to an October 25 runoff.
- Who
- Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro.
- What
- They held their final campaign events ahead of the first-round presidential election.
- When
- Saturday, before the Sunday vote; a possible runoff is scheduled for October 25.
- Where
- Lula marched in Sao Paulo; Flavio Bolsonaro took part in events in Sao Paulo state and Rio de Janeiro.
- Why
- To campaign for the presidential election and encourage supporters to vote.
Lula’s campaign
Flavio Bolsonaro’s campaign
Election outlook
Lula’s campaign
Lula’s Workers’ Party leader said the reported turnout showed growing momentum for Lula.
Flavio Bolsonaro’s campaign
Flavio Bolsonaro said he was convinced his side could win in the first round.
How the election is framed
Lula’s campaign
Lula described the vote as a choice between “democracy and barbarism.”
Flavio Bolsonaro’s campaign
Flavio Bolsonaro urged supporters to vote and expressed confidence in a first-round victory.
- First-round vote
- Scheduled for Sunday, the day after the candidates’ closing events.
- Lula event
- A march through Sao Paulo, along Augusta Street.
- Reported attendance
- Organizers said about 150,000 supporters attended along a two-kilometer stretch.
- Flavio Bolsonaro events
- A motorcycle caravan through Santa Barbara d’Oeste and Americana, followed by a rally in Rio de Janeiro.
- Runoff threshold
- A candidate must receive more than 50% of valid votes to avoid a runoff.
- Possible runoff date
- October 25.
- Polling outlook
- Polls pointed to a likely runoff, although both candidates expressed confidence.