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Lula ahead in Brazilian election Brazil set for election run-off
(about 2 hours later)
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. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil has narrowly failed to win re-election outright in the first round of the presidential election.
With more than 90% of votes counted, Lula - as he is known - had just over 49%, official figures show. Lula needed at least 50% of the vote to avoid a run-off on 29 October, but fell about 1% short, officials say.
He needs at least 50% of the vote to avoid a second round run-off at the end of the month. He will now go head to head with former Sao Paulo governor Geraldo Alckmin, who took 41.4% of the vote.
His main rival, Geraldo Alckmin - a business-friendly ex-governor of Sao Paulo state - had 40.9% of the total. Mr Alckmin gained ground late in the campaign, after President Lula's party was accused of dirty tricks.
A final result could be delayed until Monday, with some votes still due in. The BBC's Steve Kingstone in Sao Paulo says a run-off against Mr Alckmin is a set-back for Lula - as he likes to be called.
A third candidate, Heloisa Helena, has secured nearly 7% of the vote. He had a comfortable lead in the weeks leading up to the election, but opinion polls showed a dip in support for him amid scandals involving his Workers' Party.
The BBC's Steve Kingstone in Sao Paulo says a run-off against Mr Alckmin would be a set-back for the president.
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 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 it 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.
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 ballotMr 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 a corruption scandal last year 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. Brazilians were also electing state governors, all congressional representatives and a third of senators.
"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." More than 125 million people voted across the nation.
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.