This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/5397772.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Lula ahead in Brazilian election Lula ahead in Brazilian election
(about 2 hours later)
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva appears to have won the first round of Brazil's presidential election, but it is not clear whether he has won outright. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva looks to have won the first round of Brazil's election, but it is unclear if he has secured an outright victory.
With nearly three-quarters of the vote counted, incumbent Lula - as he is known - had just over 49%, official results show. With more than 90% of votes counted, Lula - as he is known - had just over 49%, official figures show.
He needs at least 50% of the vote to avoid a run-off on 29 October. He needs at least 50% of the vote to avoid a second round run-off at the end of the month.
His main rival, Geraldo Alckmin - the centre-left former governor of Sao Paulo state - had almost 41%. His main rival, Geraldo Alckmin - a business-friendly ex-governor of Sao Paulo state - had 40.9% of the total.
A third candidate, Heloisa Helena, had secured nearly 7% of the vote, official figures showed. A final result could be delayed until Monday, with some votes still due in.
'Downward slide' A third candidate, Heloisa Helena, has secured nearly 7% of the vote.
Pre-election opinion polls showed a dip in support for Lula below the 50% mark amid allegations of dirty tricks by his Workers' Party in the electoral race. The BBC's Steve Kingstone in Sao Paulo says a run-off against Mr Alckmin would be a set-back for the president.
Mr Alckmin believes he can force the president to a second round He had a comfortable lead in the weeks leading up to the election, but opinion polls showed a dip in support for him amid allegations of dirty tricks by his Workers' Party.
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. Two weeks ago two men with links to the 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. The scandal led Lula to sack his campaign manager, but it 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).
PovertyPoverty
Lula, the first left-winger to hold the country's highest office in 50 years, was elected in a landslide victory in 2002.Lula, the first left-winger to hold the country's highest office in 50 years, was elected in a landslide victory in 2002.
Mr Alckmin is pinning his hopes on a second-round ballot
His policies, including raising the minimum wage and broadening state help to the poorest families, have reduced the number of Brazilians living in poverty.His policies, including raising the minimum wage and broadening state help to the poorest families, have reduced the number of Brazilians living in poverty.
But many commentators argue that his programmes fail to address the structural problems that underpin poverty, such as education.But many commentators argue that his programmes fail to address the structural problems that underpin poverty, such as education.
Mr Alckmin draws support from the business community and middle class voters angered by corruption scandals involving presidential aides. Mr Alckmin draws support from the business community and middle class voters angered by a corruption scandal last year involving presidential aides.
Both candidates had expressed confidence ahead of the poll.
"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, was anticipating a second round after favourable pre-election polls.
"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).
Brazilians are also choosing state governors, all congressional representatives and a third of senators.
More than 125 million people were expected to vote across the nation.