Brazil will deploy about 25,000 members of its army, navy and air force to support Sunday's presidential run-off between President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro, The Rio Times reports, citing the Defence Ministry.
The forces will help protect voting and counting in 306 municipalities across 11 states, including Pará, Ceará, Piauí and Rio de Janeiro, and provide logistical support in 39 others, mostly remote areas. The first round on 4 October involved about 26,500 personnel in 482 municipalities.
Troops are deployed at the request of electoral courts under a presidential decree signed in July. The ministry said the aim was to keep public order and protect the free exercise of the vote. Polls open at 8am Brasília time and close at 5pm, when official results begin to be released.
Source: The Rio Times
