# Brazil's Presidential Candidates Disqualify Each Other

> Brazil's presidential candidates Lula and Bolsonaro accuse each other of election interference as they prepare for Oct 25 run-off.
- Title: Brazil's Presidential Candidates Disqualify Each Other
- Summary: Brazil's presidential candidates Lula and Bolsonaro accuse each other of election interference as they prepare for Oct 25 run-off.
- Keywords: brazil, presidential, lula, bolsonaro, election, run-off, social media, meta, algorithmic manipulation, whatsapp, news, world
- Source: The Straits Times — https://straitstimes.com/world/brazils-presidential-candidates-seek-to-disqualify-each-other
- Published: 2026-10-21T04:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: brazil, presidential, lula, bolsonaro, election, run-off, social media, meta, algorithmic manipulation, whatsapp, news, world
## Lula and Bolsonaro Disqualify Each Other
Brazil's presidential candidates Lula and Bolsonaro both moved to disqualify each other over social media abuse and election interference claims.

> Lula’s camp will ask the top electoral court to act over alleged "algorithmic manipulation" by Meta
## Meta Claims Compliance with Court Orders
Meta says it removed 720 unlabeled AI posts and limited ads to registered candidates and parties after court orders.

> We have completed the implementation of the measures to comply with the Superior Electoral Court’s decision
## Lula Accuses Meta of Suppressing Content
Lula’s campaign claims Meta suppressed his online content to boost Bolsonaro’s chances during the election campaign.

> Meta, which owns Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, was suppressing his online content to boost Bolsonaro
## Bolsonaro Accuses Lula of WhatsApp Abuse
Bolsonaro’s team accused Lula of "abuse of power" in mass dissemination of government postings on WhatsApp.

> accusing leftist Lula of "abuse of power" in the mass dissemination of government postings on WhatsApp
## First Round Results
Flavio Bolsonaro received 47% of the vote over Lula’s 45% in the first round, with a technical tie ahead of the Oct 25 run-off.

> Flavio Bolsonaro received 47% of the vote over the incumbent’s 45% in the first round earlier in October
## Meta’s Response to Allegations
Meta denied favoring one side but admitted some Lula campaign ads were mistakenly deactivated due to technical errors.

> Meta had denied taking any actions to favour one side in the election
## What Happens Next
The run-off victor will either keep Brazil as a left-wing stronghold or shift it to a right-wing administration loyal to Trump.

> The run-off victor will either preserve the vast country of 214 million people as a left-wing stronghold in Latin America, or usher it into the ranks of right-wing administrations loyal to Trump
## Key takeaway

Brazil's presidential candidates Lula and Bolsonaro seek disqualification of each other over alleged social media manipulation and election interference.