2026 elections: incidents and vote counting in Brazil and abroad
Camera captures van throwing cards in Pará, investigation abroad and use of cell phone by Romeu Zema are highlights of the day.
Quick Look
Cameras record a van launching saints in Pará, partial bulletins show a dispute between Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro abroad, and TRE-MG will investigate the use of cell phones by Romeu Zema in the voting booth.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Electoral legislation prohibits the distribution of printed propaganda the day before or on the day of voting, as well as the use of cell phones in the voting booth to preserve the secrecy of the vote.
Security camera catches van launching 'santinhos' in Pará
Security cameras at a residence recorded the moment in which a white van threw a large quantity of political propaganda leaflets — known as "santinhos" — onto a public road in the Jutaí neighborhood, in Santarém, in the west of Pará. The practice of spreading printed campaign material on public roads the day before or on the day of voting is prohibited by electoral legislation and constitutes a crime of graphic pollution and irregular advertising, subject to sanctions and fines.
Electoral race abroad: Lula wins in more countries, but Flávio leads in number of votes
The ballots collected by g1 so far show Lula with victories in more countries, but Flávio Bolsonaro ahead in the total of votes. The official result will only be released at 5pm, Brasília time.
Lula won in 15 countries: Germany, Australia, Saudi Arabia, China, Cyprus, South Korea, Croatia, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, Lebanon, Malaysia, New Zealand, Kuwait, Palestine, Kenya, Singapore, Syria, Turkey. Flávio won in eight: Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Greece, Israel, Japan, Thailand, Philippines and Taiwan.
In the total of votes, Flávio has 29,743, against 13,710 for Lula. The advantage comes mainly from Japan, one of the countries with the most Brazilian voters abroad. There, Flávio had 24,601 votes, more than double everything Lula had so far. Follow here.
Japan and the United Arab Emirates give victory to Flávio Bolsonaro
Flávio Bolsonaro won in the United Arab Emirates, with 659 votes (48.92% of valid votes). Lula came in second place, with 469 votes (34.82%). In 2022, Jair Bolsonaro had also won in the country, with 48.59%.
The candidate also won in Japan with 24,601 votes (71.59% of valid votes). Lula came in second place, with 5,222 votes (15.20%). In total, there were 34,363 valid votes in the country.
Zema uses a cell phone in the voting booth and TRE-MG will investigate
During voting this morning, presidential candidate Romeu Zema used his cell phone in the voting booth.
In a press interview, Zema said that he was not prevented from using the device in the section.
According to the Regional Electoral Court of Minas Gerais (TRE-MG), violating voting secrecy is a crime provided for in the Electoral Code. For there to be punishment, however, a formal complaint from the Public Prosecutor's Office is necessary. The court reported that Zema's use of his cell phone will be investigated.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Official results will be announced at 5pm, Brasília time.
Very likely · Within hours
Open Questions
- What will be the official voting results released after 5pm?
- Will TRE-MG apply sanctions against Romeu Zema?
