Live Updates: Bolsonaro Wins Brazil's Presidential Elections

Brazil is holding its run-off for presidential elections on Sunday, the most polarized of their kind in decades as voters choose between far-right Jair Bolsonaro and leftist Fernando Haddad, who has been dramatically reducing his opponent's lead over the past few days.

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Brazil Election: Bolsonaro's Neoliberalism Vs Haddad's Progressive Model

Bolsonaro's lead seemed decisive after the first round of elections, but members of Workers' Party and sympathizers have been taking the streets and placing discussion tables where they try to convince those undecisive voters to support Haddad. The last poll by Datafolha gave the far-right candidate 56 percent and Haddad 44 of the valid votes.

There are more than 147 million eligible voters in Brazil who will decide over the fate of their country in one of the most important elections for Latin America. Besides the president, voters will also elect governors in 13 states and the Federal District, as well as 19 mayors.

Polls will start closing at 5 p.m. local times. Live results will start showing up when the last voting station closes at 7 p.m. Brasilia time.

All updates are in local times.

Update 07:05 p.m.

Update 06:36 p.m.

"From 07:00 p.m. you can follow the calculation of the results of the second round #Eleições2018."

Update 6:05 p.m.

In the Federal District (Brasilia)  Ibaneis Rocha (MDB)  has been elected as Governor with the 69,78 percent of the votes.

In the State of Rio de Janeiro, with 44.90 percent of the votes counted, Wilson Witzel (PSC) has 60.11 percent of the votes and Eduardo Paes (DEM) has 39.89 percent of the votes.

In the State of Sao Paulo, with 29 percent of the votes counted, Marcio Franca (PSB) has 57 percent of the votes and Joao Doria (PSDB) has 42 percent of the votes.

In the State of Rio Grande do Norte, with 47.98 percent of the votes counted, Fátima Bezerra (PT) has 56.74 percent of the votes and Carlos Eduardo (PDT) has 43.26 percent of the votes.

In the State of Rio Grande do Sul, with 69.41 percent of the votes counted, Eduardo Leite (PSDB) has 52.35 percent of the votes and José Ivo Sartori (MDB) has 47.65 percent of the votes.

In the State of Minas Gerais, with 40.50 percent of the votes counted, Romeu Zema (NOVO) has 69.66 percent of the votes and Antonio Anastasia (PSDB) has 30.34 percent of the votes.

Update 5:57 p.m.

"Those who have lived Nazism do not make the mistake of voting in @jairbolsonaro #ViraVirouHaddad."

Update 5:50 p.m.

The latest bulletin released by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) on Sunday (28), at 15:49, reports that 3,841 ballot machines have been replaced throughout the country. The replacement percentage is equivalent to 0.74% of the total of 454,493 ballot machines. In three municipalities the vote had to be manual. Those are Cordislândia (MG), Apuí (AM) and Saubara (BA).

Update 5:40 p.m.

Laura Chinchilla head of the electoral mission from the Organization of American States (OAS) said on Sunday afternoon that the group was "positively impressed" with the organization of the Brazilian election process.

Update 5:25 p.m.

Update 05:00 p.m. 

Polls start to close in Brazil.

Update 04:45 p.m.

Brazilians are going to polling stations dressing in their graduation clothes to cast their vote for Haddad the professor and to state that the PT gave them the possibility to study, with the social programs implemented during the 13 years of PT governments that increased the number of students going to universities.

Update 04:40 p.m.

Update 03:09 p.m.

Update 02:45 p.m.

Voting stations for Brazil’s presidential elections have closed in 33 countries according to the TSE.

Update 02:40 p.m.

Update 02:36 p.m.

A supporter of Fernando Haddad performs in a concert during a runoff election, in Rio de Janeiro. 

Update 02:00 p.m.

"#BrazilDecides | Voting in Rio de Janeiro continues quietly. Here, as in other 12 states and in the Federal District, voters will elect their candidate for president and governor. #Eleições2018"

Update 01:55 p.m.

People on social media are using Haddad's quote "more books, fewer weapons" (#maislivrosmenosarmas) to support the university professor against Bolsonaro, a former army captain known for his violent attitudes.

"For those who have the urge to fight."

"I know I'm on the right side. Everything for democracy! #Maislivrosmenosarmas #13Haddad"

Update 01:52 p.m.

Update 01:48 p.m.

The Brasil de Fato's correspondent Mariana Pitasse reported on the attack of Bolsonaro's supporters against Haddad's supporters. "It was the first case registered here today. He hit and then ran away."

Update 01:45 p.m.

Update 01:41 p.m.

President of the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) Rosa Weber, casts her vote in Brasilia.

Update 01:23 p.m.

The TSE informed that about 1,956 voting machines had to be replaced across the country so far and that 35 people were arrested on electoral crimes charges.

Update 01:15 p.m.

After voting, Bolsonaro's vice-president candidate Hamilton Mourao said the first actions of their possible government would be to adjust the economy, support Temer's pension reform and review benefits for members of the military.

Update 01:10 p.m.

Update 12:52 p.m.

Update 12:47 p.m.

Brazilians arrive to vote in a runoff election in Catalao, a community of houseboats, in Amazonas State.

Update 12:28 p.m.

The presidential candidate for the Democratic Labor Party (PDT) in the first round Ciro Gomes uploaded a picture of himself after voting with the hashtag "Democracy Yes", suggesting a possible vote in favor of leftist Fernando Haddad.

12:06 p.m.

11:40 a.m.

The head of the OAS Electoral Observation Mission and Former President of Costa Rica, Laura Chinchilla, visits a polling station in Brasilia, Brazil October 28, 2018.

Chinchilla said the election is running in a peaceful and organized manner but showed her concerns regarding ‘unprecedented’ number of fake news going around.

Update 11:29 a.m.

"#BrazilDecides | Contrary to the first round in which voters also elected lawmakers, this Sunday voting is for the president. In 13 states and in the Federal District it's also the second round to elect governors. Voting lasts less than a minute. #Elections2018."

Update 11:24 a.m.

Update 11:20 a.m.

Update 11:11 a.m.

Bolsonaro's vice-president candidate Hamilton Mourao voted in Brasilia.

Update 11:05 a.m.

Brazil's Supreme Electoral Court (TSE) announces that polling stations for Brazilians living abroad had closed in 18 countries by 10 a.m. (Brasilia time). There are 500,727 Brazilians registered to vote in 99 countries for the presidential race.

Update 10:47 a.m.

Workers' Party candidate Fernando Haddad cast his vote in Sao Paulo.

"@Haddad_Fernando, candidate to president of the republic, voted this Sunday morning in Sao Paulo. Foto: Midia NINJA"

"BrazilDecides. Listen and see what the PT candidate Fernando Haddad said after voting in Sao Paulo. He assured democracy is in danger, such as individual freedoms, and highlighted the country is at stake while at the same time he feels hopeful."

 

Update 10:40 a.m.

Update 10:28 a.m.

Update 10:19 a.m.

Update 10:11 a.m.

Supporters of leftist candidate Fernando Haddad wait for him at the polling station where he is expected to cast his vote.

Update 10:05 a.m.

Update 9:53 a.m.

Bolivian President Evo Morales tweeted a message of support for the Brazilian people and their democratic exercise.

"We salute the brothers and sisters from #Brazil who are today going to the polls on the second round of presidential elections. We hope this day to be a democratic celebration and the triumph of the Brazilian people, for the well being of its people."

Update 9:52 a.m.

Brazilians cast their votes in a runoff election, in Curitiba.

Update 9:30 a.m.

Update 9:21 a.m.

Bolsonaro cast his vote along with his wife at a polling station in Rio. 

Update 9:00 a.m.

Incumbent Michel Temer voted in Sao Paulo and declared his government is ready for the transition. With only 4 percent of approval rating, he will leave the presidency as Brazil's most unpopular leader in its recent history.

Update 8:50 a.m.

Former President Dilma Rousseff cast her vote in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais.

Update 8:30 a.m.

The far-right candidate Bolsonaro is expected to vote soon in Rio de Janeiro.

#BrasilDecide | The press in Rio de Janeiro is waiting for candidate Bolsonaro. He will vote this morning. #Eleições2018

Update 8:25 a.m.

Surveys have shown that the gap between Bolsonaro and Haddad has been narrowing during the last week, as politicians, artists, intellectuals and activists have endorsed the leftist candidate. #BrasilViraHaddad

Update 8:00 a.m.

Polls open in Brasilia at 8 a.m. local time