Brazil extends voting by two hours after Lula campaign complaint

Brazil’s Supreme Court has extended voting by two hours in Sunday’s presidential run-off, granting a request from President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s campaign team after it raised concerns about access to public transport in several cities.

Polling stations had been due to close at 5pm local time. The campaign argued that restrictions on public transport were making it harder for voters to reach polling stations and disadvantaging Lula, according to ANP and Reuters.

Lula is facing right-wing candidate Flávio Bolsonaro, who narrowly led the first round by just under two percentage points. The extension gives voters more time to cast their ballots; the court’s decision followed the campaign’s complaint.