Brazil election result: Lula wins fourth term, beats Flavio Bolsonaro 51.7% to 48.2%

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has won Brazil's presidential run-off, beating Flavio Bolsonaro by 51.7% to 48.2% with all ballots counted, according to Brazil's electoral court as reported by TRT World. The result came in the early hours of Monday 26 October, Pakistan time.

Lula, who turns 81 soon, will begin a fourth, non-consecutive term on 5 January 2027, CBS News reported. He trailed in the first round, so this is the comeback no candidate had pulled off before.

Brazil election 2026 result: the numbers

A first since military rule ended

CBS News said it is the first time since military rule ended in 1985 that the first-round runner-up has gone on to win the presidency. Lula was first elected in 2002.

The two-hour voting extension

As polls closed, Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin extended voting nationwide by two hours. Lula's side had asked for it because of bus disruptions in nine states, and Bolsonaro's side over heavy rain in the south, CBS reported. Al Jazeera and CBS both said the Bolsonaro campaign may challenge the extension in court. At the time of the first reports, Flavio Bolsonaro had not addressed his supporters or conceded.

While voting in Rio de Janeiro, Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, had said "the time of real change has arrived". Lula, on the bus problems earlier in the day, said: "We will not be robbed by mayors, governors or businessmen."

Before the vote

Rio de Janeiro's City Hall said about 1.1 million people filled Copacabana beach for Lula's final rally on Saturday, The Guardian reported, and both candidates held big closing events, according to Al Jazeera.

Why it matters here

Brazil is one of the world's largest food exporters and a member of BRICS, and Lula has kept a distance from Washington, CBS noted. His win keeps Brazil's trade policy with Asia on the same course. For what world events do to the rupee, see our dollar rate page.

Updated 26 October 2026 with the run-off result. This page first carried the preview of the vote.