Brazil's Flávio Bolsonaro refuses to accept election results after Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva secures a historic fourth term with 51.8% of the vote. Bolsonaro, who received 48.2%, has called for the election to be annulled, citing a Supreme Court order that extended polling hours by two hours.
The Supreme Court extended polling hours by two hours in some areas, including Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro, to address concerns about voter access in Sao Paulo and Salvador. Bolsonaro's campaign also requested extensions in areas affected by heavy rains. Both candidates requested extended hours, but Bolsonaro has refused to acknowledge the results.
Legal experts suggest the extension of voting hours is unusual but unlikely to invalidate the election, as there is no evidence it affected voters' ability to freely express their will. Lula's victory marks a shift from conservative leadership in Latin America, with Brazil now defying US pressure despite increased tariffs.
Bolsonaro has echoed his father's refusal to accept election results, a move that led to a 27-year prison sentence for Jair Bolsonaro in 2022. The election results do not provide a strong legal basis for challenging the outcome, according to experts.