STORY: Polls opened in Brasilia on Sunday (October 4) as Brazilians vote in the first round of a narrowly split election after a campaign dominated by corruption scandals, economic anxiety and accusations of US meddling.

Leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, 80, is seeking a fourth term, while Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the 45-year-old son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, hopes to return his father's right-wing movement to power.

A victory for the senator would extend a wave of wins across Latin America by right-wing candidates aligned with US President Donald Trump, while Lula's reelection could create a headache for Washington, which has clashed with his government over trade and security.

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STORY: Brazilian incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva cast his ballot on Sunday (October 4) in São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, expressing confidence in winning the first-round election ahead of a tight race against right-wing challenger Flavio Bolsonaro.

Lula, seeking a potential fourth presidential term, told reporters after voting that he was certain of strong nationwide support.

After stepping out of the polling station, Lula said that Brazilians were choosing "between strengthening the democratic system and barbarism," adding the election was a contest between "economic growth and regression".

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STORY: Brazilian presidential hopeful and senator Flavio Bolsonaro on Sunday (October 4) arrived at a polling station in Rio de Janeiro to cast his vote.

Joined by wife Fernanda Bolsonaro, the senator called voters to head to the polls, adding that he was "more than prepared" to lead Brazil.

Polling stations opened on Sunday at 8am Brasilia time (1100 GMT) for the first round of Brazil's 2026 General Elections. First results are expected shortly after polls close at 5pm local time (2000 GMT).

A series of polls on Saturday (October 3) showed Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva slightly ahead of Bolsonaro before Sunday's first-round vote, and a close race in a likely runoff between the leftist incumbent and his right-wing challenger.

If no candidate wins more than 50% of valid votes -- which exclude blank and null ballots -- on Sunday, the two frontrunners advance to a second-round runoff on October 25.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: BRASILIA, BRAZIL (OCTOBER 4, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. ELECTORAL OFFICIALS OPENING DOORS OF POLLING STATION AND VOTERS WALKING INSIDE

2. VARIOUS OF VOTERS WALKING INSIDE VOTING STATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICIAL POINTING THEM TOWARDS VOTING SITE

3. VARIOUS OF VOTERS AT POLLING STATION VOTING

4. EXTERIOR OF BRAZIL'S JUSTICE PALACE DURING VOTING DAY

5. POLICE VEHICLE AND FENCES BLOCKING STREET

6. VARIOUS OF BRAZILIAN FLAG

7. BRASILIA'S PRAÇA DOS TRÊS PODERES

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SHOWS: SAO PAULO, BRAZIL (OCTOBER 4, 2026) (REUTERS - Access All)

1. BRAZILIAN PRESIDENT, LUIZ INACIO LULA DA SILVA, ARRIVING AT POLLING STATION

2. LULA POSING WITH OFFICIALS

3. VARIOUS OF LULA CASTING HIS VOTE

4. LULA POSING WITH BRAZILIAN FLAG AND BRAZILIAN VICE PRESIDENT, GERALDO ALCKMIN

5. LULA STEPPING OUT OF ROOM AFTER VOTING

6. LULA APPROACHING LECTERN

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZILIAN PRESIDENT, LUIZ INACIO LULA DA SILVA, SAYING:

"I am certain that we have very strong support nationwide, and I am confident that we are going to win this election. Therefore, I can only thank the Brazilian people, all of Brazilian society — those who vote for us and those who vote against us. The fact is that people are mobilising democratically."

8. WHITE FLASH

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZILIAN PRESIDENT, LUIZ INACIO LULA DA SILVA, SAYING:

"The people will have to choose between strengthening the democratic system and barbarism. Between positivism and denialism, between development and backwardness. Between economic growth and regression. The people are sovereign, and the will of the people will be respected by all 215 million Brazilians."

10. LULA WALKING OUT OF POLLING STATION, SUPPORTERS CHEERING

11. LULA HOLDING A CHILD

12. SUPPORTER WITH CHILD ON SHOULDERS HOLDING FRAME WITH LULA CARTOON

13. LULA GREETING CROWD

14. LULA SUPPORTERS CHANTING

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SHOWS: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (OCTOBER 4, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. BRAZILIAN PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL, FLAVIO BOLSONARO ARRIVING TO VOTE, SURROUNDED BY MEDIA

2. MEDIA FILMING AS BOLSONARO WALKING INTO BUILDING WITH WIFE, FERNANDA BOLSONARO (GREEN T-SHIRT)

3. BOLSONARO REGISTERING TO VOTE

4. VOTING SCREEN ON TABLE

5. BOLSONARO WALKING OVER TO SCREEN TO CAST VOTE

6. ELECTION OFFICIALS

7. VARIOUS OF BOLSONARO BEING JOINED BY HIS WIFE AFTER VOTING, POSING FOR PHOTOS/ THANKING MEDIA AND OFFICIALS BEFORE LEAVING

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZILIAN PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL, FLAVIO BOLSONARO SAYING:

“The only alternative is Flavio Bolsonaro, and with great calm and full awareness, I can say that I am more than prepared to lead this country and give Brazilian families back the right to dream. That is what I hope for, and may God bless everyone and touch the hearts and minds of all Brazilians so they can do the right thing. And when you leave home today, come out and vote as early as possible, because Brazil needs, more than ever, its own people to free itself (from the Lula government).”

9. BOLSONARO AND HIS WIFE LEAVING SURROUNDED BY MEDIA

10. CAR CARRYING BOLSONARO LEAVING