RIO DE JANEIRO — Voters in Brazil are deciding whether to give the right-wing incumbent, Jair Bolsonaro, a second term or bring back a former leftist president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. After Mr. da Silva led in the first round of voting earlier this month, many polls suggested a tightly contested runoff.
The competing views of the election were clear as voting kicked off at one polling station in Rio de Janeiro early Sunday and a steady stream of voters began to trickle in.
Many of Mr. Bolsonaro’s supporters wore yellow soccer shirts that have become a symbol of right-wing politics in Brazil. Fans of Mr. da Silva had stickers emblazoned with the leftist candidate’s face.
Moises Wagner, a 47-year-old delivery worker, said he had voted for Mr. Bolsonaro. “He represents our values: God, family, country,” he said, echoing a mantra that has made the leader popular among conservatives and evangelical Christians.
Rita Pereira, a 56-year-old lawyer, said she voted for Mr. Bolsonaro for a simple reason. “I have sworn to never vote for Lula again,” she said.
Mr. da Silva oversaw a golden era of growth in Brazil fueled largely by a commodities boom, but his legacy was tarnished when he was jailed on corruption charges in 2018. Even after a judge set aside his conviction after ruling that the judge in his case had been biased, many voters still have their doubts about Mr. da Silva’s integrity.
But Stefane Silva de Jesus, a 30-year-old librarian, had a different view. “He’s not the solution to every problem,’’ she said. “But he’s our only hope.” She blamed Mr. Bolsonaro for soaring hunger, punishing inflation and a poor handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
Sporadic acts of political violence, including shootings and stabbings, leading up to the vote have unnerved many Brazilians who believe Mr. Bolsonaro’s harsh rhetoric has contributed to the country’ polarization.
In São Paulo, Lucas Valoto, a 29-year-old web designer, wore a red shirt symbolizing his support for Mr. da Silva. “Today we decided that we can’t cower in fear,” he said. “We can’t let this insanity, this barbarity continue.”