Kathmandu— Brazil's presidential election campaign officially began this weekend as incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and former President Jair Bolsonaro each held rallies in their respective political bases ahead of the October 4 vote. Lula spoke to a large crowd outside São Paulo, emphasizing his past leadership during Brazil’s military dictatorship, while Senator Flavio Bolsonaro gathered supporters on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro – though his father, currently under house arrest for an attempted coup, was absent. Both candidates are prioritizing the issue of gender violence and appealing to women voters, who comprise a majority of the electorate.

Rallying Support in Traditional Strongholds

Lula addressed over 10,000 supporters at Vila Euclides Stadium, revisiting the city where he first gained prominence as a metalworkers’ union leader nearly five decades ago. Despite a recent skin cancer diagnosis, the 80-year-old president reiterated his commitment to policies reminiscent of his previous terms in office. Meanwhile, Flavio Bolsonaro mobilized thousands on Copacabana Beach, signaling continued support for his father despite ongoing legal challenges.

Foreign Interference and Resource Nationalism

Lula used his rally to denounce perceived foreign interference in Brazilian politics, echoing earlier accusations that the United States is attempting to influence the election by raising tariffs and revoking a diplomat’s visa. He also asserted Brazil's right to control its own natural resources, stating, “No one [abroad] will tap our minerals. We are going to tap them for the benefit of the Brazilian people.” Bolsonaro, in turn, positioned himself as uniquely capable of negotiating favorable trade deals with global powers including the United States, China, Israel, and India.

Appealing to Female Voters Amid Rising Femicide Rates

With women making up nearly 53 percent of Brazil’s eligible voters, both candidates have made addressing gender violence a key campaign issue. Brazil has seen a surge in femicides – the killing of a woman due to her gender – with nearly 400 cases reported in the first quarter of 2026, the highest number recorded since tracking began eleven years ago. Lula emphasized the need for equality from childhood and pledged to launch a detailed platform within ten days outlining his gender-responsive policies.

Legal Frameworks and Ongoing Challenges

While Brazil has made some progress in recognizing femicide as a distinct crime – classifying it separately from aggravated homicide in 2024 with penalties of 20 to 40 years imprisonment – the rate of violence against women remains alarmingly high. Lula stated that men who commit acts of domestic or gender-based violence should not vote for him, while Bolsonaro also promised to prioritize combating violence against women, appearing alongside his mother and wife at his rally.

The presidential election is scheduled for October 4th, with both Lula and Bolsonaro vying for the support of a diverse electorate increasingly concerned about issues such as economic stability and gender equality.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.