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Lula ahead in Brazilian election Lula ahead in Brazilian election
(about 1 hour later)
Incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Polls has taken a clear lead in the Brazilian presidential election, an early exit poll suggested. 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.
But it is unclear whether he secured the 50% of votes needed for outright victory in the first round. With nearly three-quarters of the vote counted, incumbent Lula - as he is known - had just over 49%, official results show.
The president's lead in opinion polls shrank before the vote amid allegations of dirty tricks by his Workers' Party. He needs at least 50% of the vote to avoid a run-off on 29 October.
His main rival is Geraldo Alckmin, the centre-left, business-friendly former governor of Sao Paulo state. His main rival, Geraldo Alckmin - the centre-left former governor of Sao Paulo state - had almost 41%.
An estimated 125 million votes are being counted. They were cast using electronic ballot boxes, and most results should be known within hours. A third candidate, Heloisa Helena, had secured nearly 7% of the vote, official figures showed.
The exit poll, by TV Globo, said Lula 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''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. 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.
Mr Alckmin believes he can force the president to a second roundMr Alckmin believes he can force the president to a second round
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 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.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.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.""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.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)."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.
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 corruption scandals involving presidential aides.
Also running for president is Heloisa Helena, who was expelled from the Workers' Party and claims to represent the voice of the true left. Exit polls gave her 7% of the vote.