FORMER Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has won the second round of voting in the presidential elections on Sunday.

According to the Superior Electoral Tribunal, Mr Lula da Silva, of the Workers Party, commonly known as Lula, obtained 59.8 million votes, or 50.86 per cent of the vote.

The incumbent, Jair Bolsonaro of the Liberal Party, received 57.8 million votes, or 49.14 percent.

This is the smallest difference in a second-round presidential election in Brazil’s history but marks the first time since the return to democracy in 1985 that the sitting president has failed to be re-elected.

The victory for Lula represents a remarkable return to the presidency that he held between 2003 and 2010.

In 2018, Lula was imprisoned over a manufactured corruption scandal which paved the way for the far-right Mr Bolsonaro to win the presidency.

All the allegations against Lula were subsequently annulled.

After his victory, Lula said: “They tried to bury me alive, and I’m here!”

He said: “I will govern for 215 million Brazilians, and not just for those who voted for me.”

Much of the focus is now on whether Mr Bolsonaro will accept the result. Lula said during his victory speech that he had not heard from the president: “I dont know if he will call or if he will recognise my victory.”

Like his ally Donald Trump, Mr Bolsonaro has cast doubt on the electoral process throughout the bitter campaign between the two men.

But Speaker of the House and top ally of Mr Bolsonaro, Arthur Lira, appears to have accepted the result.

He said: “The will of the majority, manifested at the voting booth, must never be questioned.”

Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn, an observer at the election, said: “This is a victory for social justice, indigenous rights and the future of humanity.

“The global struggle for equality, democracy and peace goes on. Lula’s triumph proves that, together, we can win.”

Lula also received congratulations from others in the growing left-wing block in Central and South America.

Colombia’s new leader, Gustavo Petro, tweeted: “Long live Lula.”

Bolivian President Luis Arce said: “Congratulations brother.

“Your victory strengthens democracy and integration in Latin America.”

”Democracy won today in Brazil,” said Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

US President Joe Biden also congratulated Lula for his victory in “free, fair and credible elections.”

Lula will be sworn into office on January 1 2023.