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Brasilia, October 2 (RHC)-- The presidential elections in Brazil kicked off this Sunday with the opening of polling stations across the country.   Polls opened at 8:00 a.m. local time (11.00 GMT) and will close at 5 p.m. (20.00 GMT).  Some 156.4 million voters are summoned to elect the president, 27 governors, 583 deputies, one third of the Senate and renew representatives in the legislative assemblies.

Former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva appears as a favorite in all polls against the current president, Jair Bolsonaro, to win the election in Brazil.

The Brazilian Constitution establishes that every literate citizen, born in the country or naturalized, between the ages of 18 and 70, is obliged to vote.  Persons with electoral residence abroad may only vote in presidential elections.

The president of the TSE, Alexandre de Moraes, assured on the eve that freedom and security will be guaranteed so that voters can elect the next president of the country for the period 2023-2026.