Bolsonaro vows to annul as Lula wins Brazil election

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has secured an unprecedented fourth non-consecutive term, defeating right-wing rival Flávio Bolsonaro, who has vowed to challenge the result and seek the election’s annulment.

Official results showed Lula winning 51.79 per cent of valid votes against Bolsonaro’s 48.21 per cent, giving the incumbent a margin of more than four million votes.

Bolsonaro rejected the outcome, citing a Supreme Court decision to extend voting hours by two hours on Sunday following concerns over voters’ access to polling stations.

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“It is impossible to recognise the election results,” Bolsonaro said, adding that he would seek to annul the vote.

The voting extension has sparked controversy, although both campaigns had sought additional voting time in some areas. Analysts say overturning the result is unlikely.

Lula’s victory marks a dramatic comeback after he trailed Bolsonaro in the first round, securing another term for the 80-year-old left-wing leader amid deep political divisions in Latin America’s largest economy.