Turnout fell to the lowest level since 2006

Voter turnout in Brazil's presidential runoff reached 80.8%, the highest since 2006, with abstention at a record low of 19.2%. Lula da Silva celebrated the mobilization, noting the lowest number of abstentions and null votes in history. In the first round, turnout was 78.9%, with 21.1% abstaining. Lula's campaign focused on engaging voters who did not participate previously. There were 1.4 million blank votes and 2.7 million null votes, both lower than in the first round. Voting is mandatory in Brazil, but exceptions exist, and justifications for absence can be easily submitted online.