Brazil's presidential runoff neck-and-neck race | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News - NHKニュース

A tight race is being fought in Brazil's presidential runoff election, which will be held next Sunday between the country's incumbent left-wing president and the son of a former right-wing president.

The election's primary focus is centered on public safety and the candidates' approach to US President Donald Trump's administration.

Both President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, fell short of an outright majority in the election held on October 4.

Bolsonaro won the first round of the presidential election, but the latest polls show that the two candidates are locked in a dead heat.

The two took part in a televised debate on Sunday.

Bolsonaro stressed that he will strengthen public security by cracking down on gang networks engaged in drug trafficking.

Lula criticized Bolsonaro for pledging to join the US-led anti-cartel coalition if he wins the election, saying this will lead to dependence on the United States.

Supporters of the two separately gathered at an avenue and a square in Sao Paulo on Sunday.

One Bolsonaro supporter said it is not safe to carry a cell phone outside in Brazil. The supporter added that public safety needs to be improved, and that Brazilians want change.

Meanwhile, a Lula supporter stressed the importance of protecting the rights of those who are most in need of support. The person also said they want to convince those who decided against voting in the first round of the election to take part in the runoff and help turn the tide.