Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro tie in Brazil's Sunday runoff

Ahead of Brazil's October 25 presidential runoff, the latest Datafolha poll shows President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and right-wing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro tied at 50% each of valid votes.

The race remains too close to call ahead of Brazil's presidential runoff on Sunday, October 25. Left-leaning President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is facing right-wing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro.

Datafolha's latest poll, published Thursday, puts the two candidates level at 50% each of valid votes. Flávio Bolsonaro led by 2 points in the poll conducted a week earlier. In a Quaest poll released on October 21, Bolsonaro had 45% and Lula 44%.

Electronic voting machine in Brazil

In the first round on October 4, Flávio Bolsonaro received 47.03% of valid votes and Lula received 45.16%, according to the results of the Superior Electoral Court. The election went to a runoff because neither candidate surpassed 50%.

The candidates clashed in heated exchanges during a televised debate on October 18. The winning candidate will take office on January 5, 2027.