Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won re-election for an unprecedented fourth non-consecutive term, defeating right-wing challenger Flávio Bolsonaro, who has refused to concede and vowed to seek the annulment of the presidential runoff.

Lula secured 51.8 per cent of the vote against Bolsonaro’s 48.2 per cent, winning by approximately 4.4 million votes, according to the country’s electoral court. The runoff election was held on Sunday, October 25, 2026.

Bolsonaro, a senator and son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, challenged the result over a last-minute decision to extend voting hours by two hours in some polling stations.

He described the decision as unacceptable, arguing that it changed the rules during the election and created unequal conditions for voters across different states.

“It is impossible to recognise the election results, given the circumstances under which things unfolded,” Bolsonaro told journalists, according to Reuters.

He said his campaign would pursue legal action to have the election annulled.

However, the extension of voting hours followed requests from both presidential campaigns. Lula’s team cited difficulties with public transportation that could prevent voters from reaching polling stations, while Bolsonaro’s campaign raised concerns about heavy rain in parts of southern Brazil.

The decision was issued by Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin shortly before the scheduled closing time. After receiving information that some polling stations had already closed, authorities clarified that only stations still open would remain operational until 7 p.m.

The controversy delayed the conclusion of voting in some areas but did not change the electoral court’s final tally, which confirmed Lula’s victory.

Lula, who previously served as president from 2003 to 2010 before returning to office in 2023, celebrated the result with supporters and pledged to govern for all Brazilians.

The victory gives the veteran left-wing leader another four-year term beginning in January 2027. It also marks a setback for Brazil’s conservative movement, which had rallied behind Flávio Bolsonaro following the first-round vote.

Flávio’s father, Jair Bolsonaro, lost the 2022 presidential election to Lula and is serving a prison sentence over his conviction related to an attempted coup following that defeat.

The latest result highlights Brazil’s continuing political polarisation, with the candidates offering sharply contrasting positions on economic policy, social welfare, public security and the country’s international relations.

Although Flávio Bolsonaro has vowed to challenge the result, his allegation that the voting extension invalidated the election has not been established by a court ruling. The election result remains confirmed by the electoral court.

Lula’s re-election therefore sets the stage for another term under a deeply divided political landscape, while Bolsonaro’s promised legal challenge raises the prospect of further disputes over the conduct and legitimacy of the vote.