Keys, data and duels of an election that will mark Brazil’s future

Sep. 27 () –

Brazilians are called this Sunday to the polls to determine the political framework of the South American giant for the next few years. The duel between the current president, Jair Bolsonaro, and former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva marks a day that also leaves other data:

More than 150 million people have the right to vote in these elections. Voting is compulsory in Brazil for all literate citizens of legal age and full legal capacity, being optional for people between 16 and 18 years old and for those over 70.

In the first round of the 2018 elections, the participation rate was close to 80 percent. Citizens who do not participate and cannot justify their absence risk paying a fine.

Brazilians will have to elect the 513 members of the Chamber of Deputies and 27 of the 81 seats that make up the Senate. In addition, the control of the 27 territories that make up Brazil, both at the level of legislative bodies and governors, are at stake.

However, much of the focus is on the presidential elections, in which Bolsonaro aspires to prolong a stage that started in 2019. His main rival, Lula, is the favorite in the polls and already has experience in the Planalto Palace (2003-2010).

The ternna of aspirants is completed by nine other candidates, among which stand out former minister Ciro Gomes and senator Simone Tebet, although none of them has managed to consolidate a third way, at least with the forecasts of the polls on the table.

Elections always take place on the first Sunday of October and, in case a second round is necessary, it will take place on the last Sunday of the month — on the 30th in the case of the current process.

This two-round system is contemplated only for the gubernatorial and presidential elections and obliges to choose between the two candidates with the most votes in case no aspirant obtains half plus one of the valid suffrages in the first round.

Brazil has an electronic ballot box system that speeds up the count and is expected to allow the winner of Sunday’s presidential elections to be known in a matter of hours. However, his investiture will still be delayed by almost three months, since traditionally the transfer of power in Brazil takes place on January 1.

The parliamentary renewal will take place at the end of that same month, as the current legislature in the Chamber of Deputies ends on January 31, 2023.