International observers are monitoring voting across 21 states, the federal district and six overseas cities, with a report due on 6 October.
An election observation mission from the Organization of American States has highlighted the continuing technological development of Brazil’s electronic voting system. Mission chief José Miguel Insulza, a former Chilean foreign minister and former OAS secretary-general, said the system has been refined steadily over roughly three decades.
The OAS has deployed 91 experts and observers from 23 nationalities for its fifth Brazilian election mission. Teams are working in 21 states and the federal district, as well as in Miami, Washington, New York, Lisbon, London and Buenos Aires.
Observers are following the opening of polling stations, voting operations, electronic ballot-box integrity tests, the close of voting and the transmission of results. A specialist is also examining social-media activity and freedom-of-expression issues. The findings are expected to form part of a report scheduled for release on 6 October.
Insulza declined to assess allegations of possible external interference, saying the mission lacked evidence on which to offer an opinion. At the locations visited, the OAS said polling stations opened on time, had the required materials and had reported no significant incidents by the time of the statement.