Residents in both Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, Brazil, were seen hitting pots and pans on Friday (October 16) in protest against presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro and in support of incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, commonly known as Lula, ahead of an election runoff.

“I oppose Flavio Bolsonaro because he is someone who is completely against public policies that prioritise workers and reduce inequalities," said a resident who later continued to repeatedly hit a pot from a window in the night.

Lula’s supporters had been receiving calls—circulated via WhatsApp groups and social media—to stage a “panelaço” (a protest involving the banging of pots and pans) during Flavio Bolsonaro’s interview on the Globo network, scheduled for 9:15 p.m. (0015 GMT October 17) on Friday.

Hours later, conflicting instructions began to spread, arguing that one should not engage with an opponent and that such a demonstration might alienate undecided voters or disturb the elderly, children, and individuals on the autism spectrum.

A poll on Friday showed Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro leading President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva ahead of the October 25 election runoff.

It was the first poll released by CNT/MDA after Senator Bolsonaro surprisingl

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (OCTOBER 16, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all) (NIGHT SHOTS)

1. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE PROTESTING AGAINST BRAZILIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, FLAVIO BOLSONARO BY HITTING POTS AND PANS

2. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) PSYCHOLOGIST, SANDRA FIERRO, 60, SAYING:

“I came to take part in that “cacerolazo" (pot banging protest) to exorcise the shadows, to smile again and be happy, the Brazilian people deserve it. Lula!"

3. BRAZILIAN PRESIDENT, LUIZ INACIO LULA DA SILVA’S (LULA) BANNER

4. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) RESEARCHER, CLAUDIA BRITO, 57, SAYING:

“We need to shift the vote; we are going to vote for Lula."

5. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WITH FLAGS PROTESTING

6. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE IN RESTAURANTS PROTESTING

7. PERSON PROTESTING BY HITTING POT FROM WINDOW

8. VARIOUS OF BUILDINGS AND SOUND OF PEOPLE BANGING POTS AND PANS

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL (OCTOBER 16, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all) (NIGHT SHOTS)

9. PERSON WAVING LULA’S FLAG FROM TOP OF BUILDING, SOUND OF PEOPLE HITTING POTS AND PANS

10. SOUND OF PEOPLE HITTING POTS AND PANS FROM BUILDINGS

11. RESIDENT AND PUBLIC MANAGER, LUCAS MORAIS, HITTING POT

12. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) PUBLIC MANAGER, LUCAS MORAIS, 31, SAYING:

“I oppose Flavio Bolsonaro because he is someone who is completely against public policies that prioritise workers and reduce inequalities."

13. MORE OF LUCAS MORAIS HITTING POT

14. SOUND OF PEOPLE HITTING POTS AND PANS FROM BUILDINGS