(COMBO) This combination of pictures created on August 16, 2022 shows a file photo taken on June 21, 2022, of former President (2003-2010) Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (L) attending the launch of his government program guidelines in Sao Paulo, Brazil; and a file photo taken on October 7, 2018, of Brazil's right-wing then presidential candidate for the Social Liberal Party (PSL) Jair Bolsonaro (R) standing in front of the Brazilian flag as he prepares to cast his vote during the general elections in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. - The race for Brazil's October elections formally opened on Tuesday August 16, 2022, with dueling campaign events by far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro and leftist ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva highlighting the South American giant's deep divides. Front-runners Bolsonaro and Lula, who have in reality been on the campaign trail for months, made it official on opening day with rival events showcasing their polar-opposite styles. (Photo by NELSON ALMEIDA and Mauro PIMENTEL / AFP)

In Brazil, the election campaign officially began around a month and a half before the presidential election. Incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro and former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are the favourites.

Bolsonaro appeared to mobilize his supporters in the city of Juiz de Fora, in the state of Minas Gerais. There he was attacked by an attacker with a knife four years ago and almost killed.

Lula da Silva positioned himself in front of a Volkswagen plant in Sao Bernardo do Campo in the state of Sao Paulo. There he had started his political career as a union leader.

According to polls, left-leaning challenger and former President Lula da Silva is well ahead of incumbent Bolsonaro. Accordingly, 44 percent of those surveyed would vote for Lula, the right-wing populist President Bolsonaro would only get 32 ​​percent.

Brazil will elect a new head of state on October 2nd. Bolsonaro has questioned Brazil’s electronic voting system in the past, making unsubstantiated claims of fraud in the 2018 election.

Bolsonaro has fueled fears that he might not accept the election results. Brazil had invited a European Union observer team to attend the elections in May.