Supporters of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva poured into streets in Sao Paulo on Sunday night to celebrate his re-election as the president of Brazil.
The cheering crowds -- many waving national flags -- filled the Paulista Avenue following Lula's victory, where the President-elect delivered a public speech.
According to results released by Brazil's Superior Electoral Court, Lula, candidate of the ruling Workers' Party, received 51.79 percent of the valid votes in Sunday's presidential runoff, while Flavio Bolsonaro, the Liberal Party's presidential candidate and son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, received 48.23 percent of the valid votes.
"I'm from the East Zone of Sao Paulo. I'm here to celebrate the victory of our president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva," said Daniel, a supporter of Lula.
"I'm a university professor, and I worked everyday for President Lula's re-election during the second round. I'm so emotional now that I could almost cry. Everyone has fought for this victory," said Christiane, another supporter.
Lula will be sworn in on Jan. 5, 2027, for a four-year term, his fourth as Brazil's president.
In his speech in Sao Paulo, Lula vowed to work with the conservative Congress elected by the people and ensure greater public participation in the decision-making process.
He also stressed the need to strengthen digital regulation after defeating foreign interference through digital platforms, stressing that Brazil is no one's backyard.
Lula also pledged to strengthen public healthcare, improve care for the elderly, respect women and continue efforts to combat climate change.
Flavio Bolsonaro, speaking in the Brazilian capital of Brasilia, said it is "impossible" to recognize the results, and called for the annulment of the election, alleging unequal treatment of voters following an extension of voting hours.
Earlier on Sunday, Brazil's Supreme Federal Court ordered polling stations nationwide to extend voting by two hours in response to disruptions caused by public transport stoppages and heavy rain. The measure applied only to polling stations that remained open when the decision was communicated by the Superior Electoral Court; stations that had already closed were not reopened.
Bolsonaro argued that the decision had disadvantaged voters in areas where polling stations were not reopened and that his legal team would challenge the results.
Under Brazil's electoral rules, if no presidential candidate wins outright in the first round by securing more than half of the valid votes, the top two candidates advance to a runoff.
In the first round, held on Oct 4, Flavio Bolsonaro finished ahead of incumbent Lula, winning about 47 percent of the valid votes against Lula's roughly 45 percent.
Presidents from several Latin American countries congratulated Lula on his victory. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum hailed the result as a victory for the Brazilian people and democracy, while Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi praised Brazil's electoral process as a celebration of democracy.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel called for stronger regional integration. Paraguayan President Santiago Pena emphasized cooperation with Brazil to promote regional integration and development, while Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz highlighted the countries' shared history and pledged to strengthen bilateral ties. Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino also congratulated Lula and expressed his commitment to continued cooperation.
Supporters celebrate Lula's presidential re-election in Brazil
