Lula wins fourth term in dramatic Brazil election comeback

Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won a fourth term in office in a dramatic comeback over his right-wing challenger Flávio Bolsonaro.

Left-wing leader Lula took 51.79% of votes, becoming the first president since the return to civilian rule in 1985 to win an election after losing the first round of voting.

Lula told celebratory crowds this election is a "loss for negativity, lies", later adding "long live democracy".

Flávio Bolsonaro, who is the son of convicted former president Jair Bolsonaro, has so far refused to recognise the result and called for it to be annulled, which experts say is unlikely.

In an unprecedented move, polls were also extended for two hours on Sunday evening after both candidates made requests for different reasons.

Lula's team had argued that voters in São Paulo and Bahia could not get to the polling stations because of a lack of buses, while Senator Bolsonaro's campaign cited heavy rain in some areas in the south of the country and in São Paulo as the reason for their request.

The decision - issued by the Supreme Court just as polling stations were due to close - meant that some had already shut and were not able to re-open.

Supreme Court President Kassio Nunes Marques - appointed by the older Bolsonaro - confirmed Lula's victory and said that the voting extension did not cause issues for the count or the electoral process.

Kaynak: BBC News World RSS (Açık Basın / Haber Servisi)