Voting ends in Brazil's presidential runoff after 2-hour extension

BRASILIA -- Voting in Brazil's presidential runoff ended at 7 pm Brasilia time (2200 GMT) on Sunday, two hours later than originally scheduled, following a Supreme Federal Court (STF) ruling extending voting hours amid disruptions caused by public transportation problems and heavy rains in several parts of the country.

Results of the closely contested runoff were expected within hours of the close of voting.

STF Justice Cristiano Zanin issued the ruling earlier Sunday, with the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) responsible for its implementation.

TSE President Kassio Nunes Marques notified regional electoral courts of the decision at 5:49 pm Brasilia time, instructing polling stations that were still open to continue operating until 7 pm.

As some polling stations had already closed when the decision was communicated, Zanin later clarified that the extension would apply only to those that remained open, while stations that had already closed would not reopen.

Earlier Sunday, the campaign of incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of the Workers' Party requested an extension of voting hours until 7 pm, citing difficulties faced by voters in reaching polling stations due to reduced bus services and other public transportation problems in at least nine states, including Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Pernambuco.

The campaign of his rival, Flavio Bolsonaro, candidate of the Liberal Party and son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, also sought extended voting hours in Belo Horizonte, capital of Minas Gerais state, and other areas affected by power outages, as well as parts of Rio Grande do Sul state affected by heavy rains.

In the first round of voting on Oct 4, Bolsonaro secured 47.03 percent of valid votes, ahead of Lula's 45.16 percent. Neither secured more than 50 percent of valid votes, the threshold required to win outright, sending the two candidates into Sunday's decisive runoff.