Flavio Bolsonaro Challenges Lula’s Election Victory, Cites Supreme Court ‘Ploy’

Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the Liberal Party (PL) presidential candidate, announced on Sunday that he does not recognise the results of the presidential run-off election, which placed him second behind President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

“We will turn to our legal team. We will seek the annulment of these elections,” declared the PL candidate during a brief statement in Brasília.

He accused the Supreme Federal Court (STF) of changing electoral rules mid-race.

Bolsonaro sharply criticised Justice Cristiano Zanin’s ruling, which extended voting until 19:00 local time. The extension followed a request from Lula’s campaign citing voter transportation difficulties in several cities.

However, the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) clarified that the extension applied only to polling stations still open at 17:00, while closed stations remained shut.

The senator argued this uneven application disrupted fair voting conditions between states. He also alleged that PL representatives were removed from an election security room, demanding immediate explanations.

“There are many things that must be clarified before Brazil simply acknowledges this ploy that has just happened,” Bolsonaro asserted.

Official electoral authority results show Lula winning 51.79% of the valid votes against Bolsonaro’s 48.21%, securing Lula a fourth, non-consecutive presidential term.

Bolsonaro concluded by urging his supporters to maintain their commitment to the country and refuse to back down.