Lula greeted supporters, danced and jumped to batucada percussion music as his campaign vehicle moved through Copacabana. Red flags bearing the number 13 filled the gathering of supporters of his Workers’ Party.

His Liberal Party rival, Flávio Bolsonaro, held a rally in Barra da Tijuca, another beachfront district of Rio. Bolsonaro had begun the final campaign day in Belo Horizonte before heading to the city.

Polls show little separating the candidates

The October 25 runoff pits Lula, who is seeking re-election, against the senator. About 158 million Brazilians have been called to vote.

A CNT/MDA poll released on October 24 put Bolsonaro at 46.3% of voting intentions and Lula at 45%. Datafolha’s October 23 survey also showed a narrow gap, with Bolsonaro at 47% and Lula at 46% of total voting intentions.

In Datafolha’s measure of valid votes, both candidates stood at 50%, within the poll’s two-percentage-point margin of error. Further surveys from Datafolha and Quaest were expected before voting, according to the Argentine newspaper La Nación.

Sovereignty and social policy in Copacabana

Lula made national sovereignty a theme of his appearance. He said voters faced a choice over Brazil’s independence and that the country should not become anyone else’s backyard.

Supporters interviewed by La Nación placed particular emphasis on social policy. Most cited what they saw as Lula’s contribution to reducing inequality and expanding opportunities for disadvantaged Brazilians.

Carlos, who attended with his wife and children, said he supported Lula to defend democracy, social justice and national sovereignty. He also pointed to the importance of quality public education and health care.

Calls to end corruption at Bolsonaro’s rally

At the Barra da Tijuca gathering, Bolsonaro supporters focused on opposition to the Workers’ Party. Marcelo and Thais, interviewed by La Nación, called for an end to corruption and voiced demands for work and change.

For Lula, Copacabana was not scheduled to be the last stop. He was due to travel to São Paulo for a final campaign walk with supporters later on Saturday, before voters made their choice on Sunday.