Brazil election goes to runoff as Bolsonaro outperforms polls

Former Brazil's President and current presidential candidate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks during a news conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil, October 1, 2022. REUTERS/Carla Carniel

BRASILIA/RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Brazil's presidential election is headed for a run-off vote, electoral authorities said on Sunday, after President Jair Bolsonaro's surprising strength in the first round spoiled rival Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's hopes of winning outright.

With 99.7% of electronic votes counted, Lula was ahead with 48.4% of votes versus 43.3% for Bolsonaro, the national electoral authority reported. As neither got a majority of support, the race will go to a second-round vote on Oct. 30.