Brazil presidential runoff set for late October

Brazil's presidential election is headed to a runoff on October 25 between right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro and leftist incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Election authorities say none of the candidates running have won a majority of the valid votes.

Brazilians took to the polls on Sunday.

Election officials say with 98.6 percent of votes counted, Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, was leading at 47.2 percent. Lula was a close second at 44.8 percent.

During the campaign, Bolsonaro vowed to strengthen security measures and push for other policies in step with US President Donald Trump's administration. Lula focused on reducing disparities and maintaining national sovereignty without allowing major powers' interference.

The two candidates have been in a close competition throughout the campaign.

In South America, several right-wing candidates have won presidential elections, amid the Trump administration's ramped up involvement in the continent.

The question is whether Brazil, which has the largest economy and population in the region, would see a shift from a leftist administration to a right-wing government.