Brazilians cast vote in decisive election

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A run-off seems likely between the leftist Worker's Party candidate, Fernando Haddad, and the strongman right-wing candidate, Jair Bolsonaro, as neither has the more than 50 percent of votes needed for a first-round victory in Brazil's election on Sunday.

Stress was evident on voting day in Brazil, as 147 million eligible voters cast their ballots this Sunday.

It was a full-slate election at both the state and federal levels, but all eyes were on the 13-candidate presidential race, which, analysts say, is the most polarized since Brazil's military dictatorship ended 30 years ago.

Read more: Brazil's polarized election 2018, left or right?

Haddad was a last-minute insertion when former president Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva (Lula) lost his legal appeals and was disqualified. Lula, now serving a 12-year jail sentence for corruption, was ahead in the polls hovering around 40 percent.

A resident living in Rocinha is voting, as press is not allowed to photograph electronic voting machines. /CGTN Photo

Haddad is running on the slogan "I am Lula," promising a return to the economic boom and social stability of the Lula years.

But while he has gained in the polls and now sits at 22 percent of the intended vote, Haddad is trailing Bolsonaro by 14 points. The next closest is Ciro Gomes, with 13 percent. Only the first and second place candidates move on to a second round.

Since the last election in 2014, Brazil has lived through the worst economic crisis in its history. President Dilma Roussef was impeached and three major graft and kickback scandals involving scores of politicians from almost all political parties, major corporations and the state oil company sent shockwaves throughout the country.

A Rocinha voter wears a free Lula button. /CGTN Photo

Crime rates are soaring as millions of Brazilians who were lifted out of poverty under Lula have sunk back again.

Bolsonaro, a former army captain, has promised to end corruption and create a business-friendly administration. Criminal gangs will be eliminated, he says, by arming private citizens and increasing police and army presence.

Observers say the political center has all but disappeared in Brazil.

Still, Bluma Nobrega, an adviser to the dean of Rio´s Catholic University, said she decided to vote for Gomes.

"I don't want radicals, I want peace. For the other positions I chose fresh faces and if I help at least one of them to win a seat, I will be happy," she said.

Political analyst Adir Glusing said, "I voted for Haddad because he has a progressive and inclusive program, not like Bolsonaro's."

Bolsonaro, who relishes being compared to US President Donald Trump, is the most divisive figure in this election. Deploying Trump-like rhetoric against women, Afro Brazilians and homosexuals has earned him similar media attention.

Joao Amaral, a graphic designer, said he voted for Bolsonaro because major change is needed.

Residents of Rochina wait in line to vote. /CGTN Photo

"I am fed up with corruption and violence and believe a militaristic government will put Brazil on the right track."

Others, like Sandra Jesus, a cleaning lady, decided to spoil their ballot. Jesus said she was too flustered and confused to choose after waiting two hours in line to vote. She said a newly installed biometric verification system in her polling station was too slow.

Polling stations opened at 8 a.m. and closed at 7 p.m. No major incidents were reported.

Bolsonaro said he was confident he would win outright in this first round. Haddad said he was expecting a second-round victory.