Presidential race narrows as Brazilians prepare to vote

World Today

There are just hours to go before more than 140 million Brazilians go to the polls in the country’s Presidential elections. The last opinion survey before the vote suggested that President Dilma Rousseff may face a runoff vote; however, the runoff may not be against environmentalist Marina Silva. CCTV America’s Stephen Gibbs reports.

The man who once seemed to have no chance in this race is now perhaps the one to watch. For seven weeks, Aecio Neves, considered a center-right candidate, has trailed behind the higher profile Marina Silva. But at least one eve-of-election poll puts him in second place, which would push Silva out of the contest.

It is the latest twist in what has been an extraordinarily dramatic campaign. Marina Silva only became a candidate after her former running mate died in a plane crash. More than 140 million Brazilians will be voting on Sunday. This is a massive undertaking in a country famed for its diversity and scale.

Political analysts say whoever wins this race faces a fundamental challenge in a country where, over the last decade, tens of millions have been lifted out of poverty.

The ballots will be counted electronically. Nothing has proved predictable in these elections, but it is expected that the results should be known within hours of the last votes being cast.