Brazil’s Presidential Election

Lula: Extend voting hours – many voters being prevented from casting ballots

Brazil’s leftist president, Lula da Silva, has asked the country’s Supreme Court to extend voting hours in Sunday’s election, reports AFP. He states that a large number of buses have been taken out of service—including in São Paulo—preventing many people from voting.

Lula says he is not typically one to complain and has always accepted past electoral defeats. He notes that public transport is not functioning as it should in several parts of the country, attributing this to "foul play" by mayors.

"Something terrible is happening," he says.

*Globo* reports that as many as 75 buses in the state of Bahia have been prevented from leaving their depots. 

Analysis: Can charisma put a stop to the right-wing wave?

Leftist president Lula da Silva and his conservative challenger, Flávio Bolsonaro, share several similar campaign promises, writes Lucinda Pinto in an analysis for CNN Brasil ahead of Sunday’s presidential election.

She notes that the economy was a major focus of Friday’s final debate, with both candidates advocating for measures such as an increased minimum wage and expanded welfare. However, she points out that voters have been left without an explanation as to how these goals will be achieved.

"The debate showed that the candidates have proposals to alleviate the immediate problems facing the population. What remained less clear was how they intend to fund these measures." With Bolsonaro holding a narrow lead in the polls, Fox News’ David Unsworth writes that left-wing politicians in Latin America seem to be struggling immensely to capitalize on the soaring cost of living. Ecuador, Bolivia, Honduras, and Chile all elected conservative leaders last year.

However, Unsworth does not rule out Lula da Silva, noting that he has been the dominant figure in Brazilian politics for several decades.

“But will his appeal and charisma be enough to halt the right-wing wave sweeping across the continent?”