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Brazil voters re-elect president Brazil re-elects President Lula
(9 minutes later)
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been re-elected in a landslide victory, in the second round of presidential elections.Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been re-elected in a landslide victory, in the second round of presidential elections.
Partial results show the president, known as "Lula" with more than 60% of the votes, outstripping rival Geraldo Alckmin, who has just under 40%. With nearly all the votes counted, the Brazilian electoral court said Lula had won 60% against rival Geraldo Alckmin.
Both candidates have described themselves as centre left. Election officials said Mr Alckmin would not be able to pull ahead even if he won all of the remaining votes.
Lula has strong support among the poor, while Mr Alckmin, former governor of Sao Paulo, is seen as pro-business. Correspondents say voters gave Lula another term for his efforts to ease poverty while improving the economy.
Officials said the election ran smoothly, and promised a fast count due to the use of electronic ballot boxes. Votes in Sunday's run-off were cast using electronic ballot boxes, allowing officials to deliver a swift result.
President Lula was cheered on by supporters as he cast his vote in the state of Sao Paulo. 'Resounding victory'
He had narrowly failed to win outright in the first round. A partial count showed the incumbent president had 60% of the vote - an insurmountable lead. Shortly after, the head of Brazil's electoral court declared Lula re-elected.
The corruption issue Corruption scandals hampered President Lula's campaignThe BBC's Steve Kingstone in Sao Paulo says it is a resounding victory for a man who was written off by many just over a year ago, when his Workers' Party was at the centre of a cash-for-votes scandal.
Many people in the country had expected Lula to win outright in the first round four weeks ago - but he fell short of victory after a financial and dirty tricks scandal engulfed his governing Workers' Party. But Lula weathered that storm and another during the first phase of this campaign when party colleagues were again accused of corruption, our correspondent says.
The BBC's Steve Kingstone in Sao Paulo says the corruption issue has now faded in the absence of fresh revelations, and Lula has consolidated his core support by emphasising his achievements in reducing poverty. Lula narrowly failed to win outright in the first round four weeks ago.
He has also suggested Mr Alckmin would sell off Brazil's remaining state companies. During the ensuing campaign the president suggested to voters that Mr Alckmin might scrap welfare benefits for the poor and privatise Brazil's remaining state companies.
Privatisation is generally viewed with suspicion in Brazil. Privatisation is generally viewed with suspicion in Brazil. Despite repeated denials by Mr Alckmin, the accusation undoubtedly cost him votes, our correspondent adds.
Despite repeated denials by the challenger, the accusation may have cost him votes, our correspondent adds.