Brazil’s Supreme Court has extended voting in Sunday’s presidential runoff by two hours following allegations of voter suppression affecting supporters of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
According to The Guardian, Justice Cristiano Zanin ordered polling stations to remain open until 7:00 PM local time instead of the scheduled 5:00 PM closure.
The decision followed complaints from Lula’s campaign that local authorities in several states had restricted public transport, preventing voters from reaching polling stations.
Lula is facing senator Flávio Bolsonaro in a closely contested presidential election.
His campaign alleged that authorities aligned with Bolsonaro had failed to provide free election-day transport, particularly in areas where Lula enjoys strong support.
In São Paulo, campaign officials claimed only 60 percent of buses were operating, while Salvador reportedly had just half its usual services.
Lula condemned the situation, telling reporters: “But this time something abominable is happening.”
He urged Brazilians not to abandon their right to vote despite the reported transport disruptions.
The president also compared the allegations with Brazil’s 2022 election, when federal highway police carried out roadblocks later found to have targeted left-wing voters.
The voting extension was granted shortly after the original closing time, raising concerns that some polling stations might already have shut.
