140 million head to polls for Brazil’s presidential election run-off

World Today

For the second time in less than three weeks, Brazilians are going to the polls. Some have already closed and so far, 140 million votes have been counted. Analysts said this race between incumbent Dilma Rousseff and challenger Aécio Neves is the tightest presidential election in decades. CCTV America’s Stephen Gibbs reports from Rio de Janeiro.

Brazil is the world’s fourth largest democracy, with 140 million registered voters. Some live in very remote areas, such as some Amazon states that are not accessible by road or plane — but by boat.

Despite the logistical challenges, Brazil has a highly efficient electoral system. Results are expected within two hours of polls closing.

The choice is between two candidates. One is the incumbent president, Dilma Rousseff. She campaigned on her party’s track record of reducing poverty and historically low levels of unemployment.

The other is her challenger, the center-right Aécio Neves. He said it is time for change in this country’s leadership. He promised less state intervention in the economy, a greater opening up to foreign investment and a clean sweep against corruption.

The opinion polls suggested this could well be a close race. Dilma Rousseff appears to be ahead, but only just a little.

Brazilians will know which direction this country is heading for the next four years quite soon.