Lula ahead in polls for Brazil’s first-round vote; runoff likely - Rappler

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BRAZlL. A flag in support of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the Workers' Party (PT) candidate for presidential re-election, waves during a rally one day before the general election, in Brasilia, Brazil, October 3, 2026.

SAO PAULO, Brazil – A series of polls on Saturday, October 3, showed Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva slightly ahead of Senator Flavio Bolsonaro before Sunday’s first-round vote, and a close race in a likely runoff between the leftist incumbent and his right-wing challenger.

If no candidate wins more than 50% of valid votes – which exclude blank and null ballots – on Sunday, October 4, the two frontrunners advance to a second-round runoff on October 25.