Lula and Bolsonaro supporters hold final rallies before Brazil runoff as poll shows a tie and campaign leaves voters disillusioned

Supporters of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro rallied in Brazil on Saturday, the day before the presidential runoff. In Rio de Janeiro, a sea of red filled Copacabana beach as 81-year-old Lula waved a large Brazilian flag from a campaign truck. In Belo Horizonte, hundreds of bikers wearing yellow national football shirts roared their support for Bolsonaro.

A Datafolha Institute poll this week put both candidates at 50 percent of voting intentions. The bitter campaign has left Latin America’s largest nation deeply polarized. Sunday’s election will determine whether Brazil remains a leftist stronghold or joins a regional swing to the right championed by U.S. President Donald Trump, an ally of the Bolsonaro family.

The rivals took a calmer tone in Friday night’s final debate than in previous clashes. Lula criticized the senator’s lack of experience, while Bolsonaro accused the incumbent of leaving behind a broken country. The fear-driven campaign has left numerous voters disgusted and feeling forced to choose what they see as the lesser of evils.