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| Lula ahead in Brazilian election | Lula ahead in Brazilian election |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Polls has taken a clear lead in the Brazilian presidential election, an early exit poll suggested. | |
| But it is unclear whether he secured the 50% of votes needed for outright victory in the first round. | But it is unclear whether he secured the 50% of votes needed for outright victory in the first round. |
| The president's lead in opinion polls shrank before the vote amid allegations of dirty tricks by his Workers' Party. | The president's lead in opinion polls shrank before the vote amid allegations of dirty tricks by his Workers' Party. |
| His main rival is Geraldo Alckmin, the centre-left, business-friendly former governor of Sao Paulo state. | His main rival is Geraldo Alckmin, the centre-left, business-friendly former governor of Sao Paulo state. |
| Counting is now under way of an estimated 125 million votes. | Counting is now under way of an estimated 125 million votes. |
| The votes were recorded using electronic ballot boxes, so most results should be known within hours. | The votes were recorded using electronic ballot boxes, so most results should be known within hours. |
| The exit poll, by TV Globo, said Lula, as he likes to be known, had 50% of the vote, while Mr Alckmin had 38% of the vote. | |
| Lula - as he is known - needs a simple majority to avoid a second round run-off in four weeks' time. | |
| 'Downward slide' | |
| Pre-election opinion polls showed a dip in support for Lula below the 50% mark amid allegations of sharp tactics in the electoral race. | |
| Two weeks ago two men with links to the Workers' Party were arrested carrying $800,000 dollars in cash, which detectives believe was to have paid for a dossier of corruption allegations against the president's rivals. | |
| The scandal led Lula to sack his campaign manager, but has resurfaced over the weekend with newspapers publishing photographs of the wads of banknotes. Lula denies ever engaging in smear tactics. | |
| Both men were confident as they cast their votes. | |
| "This is a glorious moment for Brazil because the election consolidates the democratic process," Lula said. "I am sure we will win the election today, in the first round." | |
| His opponent, meanwhile, voting in Sao Paulo, said opinion polls showed there would be a second round. | |
| "They show our candidacy is up and the president is on a downward slide," said Mr Alckmin, who is standing for the Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB). |