BRASILIA: Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has secured an unprecedented fourth presidential term, defeating right-wing challenger Flavio Bolsonaro in a closely contested run-off election, while his rival has refused to accept the result and vowed to seek its annulment.
Official results showed Lula winning 51.8 percent of the vote against 48.2 percent for Bolsonaro, giving the veteran left-wing leader a margin of approximately 4.4 million votes.
The victory marks a dramatic political comeback for the 80-year-old president, who overcame a first-round setback to retain power and resist a broader conservative shift across parts of Latin America.
Bolsonaro, a senator and son of former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, described the election decision as unacceptable and alleged irregularities after a Supreme Court ruling extended voting hours by two hours at some polling stations.
⛔️ Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva wins an unprecedented fourth term, narrowly defeating conservative Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro in a closely contested runoff election.✊🏼✊🏼 https://t.co/BdScJILKSJ
— Dr.Sam Youssef Ph.D.,Ph.D.,DPT. (@drhossamsamy65) October 26, 2026
“It is impossible to recognise the results. I am going to request the annulment of these elections,” he said in Brasilia.
The extension followed complaints from Lula that buses had been withdrawn from circulation in several cities, preventing some citizens from reaching polling stations. Bolsonaro also sought additional voting time in certain regions because of heavy rain but criticised the broader decision.
Lula, meanwhile, credited voter mobilisation for his victory, saying people had turned out because his campaign had convinced them that voting was essential to safeguarding democracy.
Celebrations erupted in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, where thousands of supporters wearing red, the colour of Lula’s Workers’ Party, took to the streets.
Comeback after first-round setback
Following his initial-round defeat, Lula’s campaign intensified its efforts through large rallies and a renewed social media strategy. The campaign rallied supporters around the slogan “Never Again Bolsonaro” and highlighted the importance of protecting democratic institutions.
Voter abstention fell from 21pc in the first round to 19pc in the run-off, according to the reported figures. The campaign also sparked a dispute with Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.
Lula’s team accused the technology giant of favouring his rival through alleged algorithmic manipulation. Meta denied the allegation but acknowledged that some of Lula’s campaign advertisements had been mistakenly deactivated because of technical errors.
After his victory, Lula renewed calls for greater regulation of social media companies. The election campaign was marked by bitter exchanges, scandals and allegations, reflecting deep political divisions that have persisted in Brazil for more than a decade.
Divided nation awaits new term
Despite his victory, Lula begins his fourth term with nearly half of voters having backed his opponent. The president will also face a Congress dominated by right-wing lawmakers, complicating efforts to advance his legislative agenda.
Lula first became president in 2003 and won re-election in 2006. He returned to office in 2023 after defeating Jair Bolsonaro in the 2022 election. Earlier corruption convictions against Lula were annulled on procedural grounds.
During his current term, his government oversaw declines in inflation and unemployment and helped lift millions of people out of hunger. However, concerns over the cost of living and crime remained prominent among voters.
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Flavio Bolsonaro, 45, sought to distinguish himself from his father by presenting a more moderate image, attracting conservative supporters and voters seeking political change.
Lula also made national sovereignty a central theme of his campaign, amid commercial and diplomatic pressure from the United States under President Donald Trump. “This country will not accept being anyone’s backyard,” Lula said on Sunday.
The outcome drew congratulations from Chilean President Jose Antonio Kast and Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, both right-wing leaders and close allies of Trump.
Pakistan’s President congratulates Lula
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari also congratulated Lula on his “historic re-election”, expressing confidence that longstanding friendly relations between Pakistan and Brazil would continue to strengthen.
President Asif Ali Zardari has congratulated Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on his historic re-election as President of Brazil.
The President expressed confidence that the longstanding friendly relations between Pakistan and Brazil would continue to grow, with enhanced cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture and multilateral forums for the mutual benefit of both countries and their peoples.
@LulaOficial @presidencia_BR
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) October 26, 2026
According to a statement issued by the Presidency, Zardari voiced support for enhanced cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture and multilateral forums for the mutual benefit of both countries and their peoples.
Lula, who turns 81 on Tuesday, will be 85 by the end of his new term in 2030, making age and the challenges of governing a deeply divided country significant factors in his next presidency.
