Dilma votes in BH under jeers and shouts of 'Lula thief'

Former president Dilma Rousseff voted on Sunday morning in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, and was greeted with booing and shouts of “Thief Lula” by voters present at the polling place. Dilma, who currently chairs the New Development Bank (NDB), the BRICS bank, lives in Shanghai, China, and returned to Brazil this week specifically to cast the ballot in the first round of the 2026 elections.

The episode took place during the vote, which began at 8am nationwide and is scheduled to close at 5pm, Brasilia time. The source did not detail the exact address of the electoral section or the precise time that Dilma arrived at the site.

Negative reaction marks vote of the former president

In attendance in its electoral zone in the capital of Minas Gerais, Dilma Rousseff was the target of hostile demonstrations by some voters. Screams of “Thief Lula” and wailing were recorded the moment the former president arrived or left the site — the source did not specify the exact time of the demonstrations.

There is no information about how Dilma reacted to the hoaxes or whether there was any kind of confrontation. The report also did not have access to images or videos of what happened, as the source did not provide additional details.

Despite the tense climate, there are no reports that Dilma’s vote was interrupted or that she left the site before completing the process. The source did not detail whether there was security reinforcement or messiah intervention.

Recent trajectory: from the Plateau to the BRICS bank

Dilma Rousseff ruled Brazil from 2011 to 2016, when he was impeached. Since 2023, she has been the chairman of the New Development Bank, a financial institution created by the BRICS countries – an international forum for cooperation between emerging economies, such as Brazil, Russia and India.

Dilma’s appointment to the post came in a context of Brazil’s rapprochement with the bloc, especially after the election of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in 2022. The former president is affiliated with the Workers’ Party (PT), the same party of Lula, which explains the association made by the demonstrators in the screams of “Ladrón Lula”.

Dilma currently resides in Shanghai, China, where the NDB is headquartered. His coming to Brazil to vote demonstrates the regular exercise of the right to vote, even living abroad. The source did not say whether she intends to remain in the country after the election or return immediately to China.

Elections 2026: first round across the country

The first round of the 2026 elections began at 8 a.m. on Sunday (4) and is scheduled to end at 5 p.m. Voters from all over Brazil go to the polls to elect president, governors, senators, federal deputies and state deputies.

The Superior Electoral Court (TSE) recommends that each voter carry, in addition to an official document with a photo, an individual note with the numbers of their candidates. The measure aims to speed up the voting and avoid errors in the typing of numbers in the electronic urn.

It is forbidden to use mobile phones or any electronic equipment at the time of voting. The rule applies to all voters, including officials and candidates. Failure to comply may lead to legal sanctions, in accordance with electoral legislation.

Political context and reactions

The hoaxes and shouts against Dilma Rousseff reflect the political polarization that marks the Brazilian electoral scenario. The former president is a central figure of the PT, a party that has ruled the country for more than a decade and that faces strong opposition from sectors of society.

Although Dilma is not running for office in these elections, her presence in Belo Horizonte has mobilized voters opposed to her political group. The source did not say whether other candidates or PT leaders accompanied Dilma at the polling place.

The episode also highlights Dilma’s symbolic weight in the Brazilian political imaginary, even after leaving the Presidency almost ten years ago. His role at the head of the BRICS bank is often cited by allies as proof of its international relevance, while critics question his management on the Plateau.

Guidance for the voter

The TSE reinforces that voting is compulsory for over 18 and optional for young people aged 16 and 17, over 70 and illiterate. Those who do not vote and do not justify their absence are subject to fines and other penalties, such as preventing them from taking a passport or taking up public office.

To vote, it is necessary to present an official document with photo, such as RG, CNH, passport or e-Title. Individual annotation with candidate numbers is allowed and recommended, but may not be shared with other voters within the voting booth.

The use of cell phones in the cabin is prohibited; the device must be delivered to the messiah before voting. The measure aims to ensure the secrecy of the vote and avoid improper registrations. The voter who refuses to hand over the phone may be prevented from voting and answering for electoral crime.

Next steps

After the end of the vote, at 5 p.m., the counting of votes begins. The TSE will release the partial results overnight, with the expectation of defining the majority positions still on Sunday, if no presidential candidate reaches more than 50% of the valid votes.

If there is a second round, it will take place on the last Sunday of October. The source did not detail whether Dilma Rousseff will remain in Brazil to follow up on the count or whether it will return to China in the coming days.

The Boca no Trombone Portal will continue to monitor the elections across the country, with real-time updates and analysis of key events. For more news on national and regional policy, continue browsing our website.

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