Electoral Excitement in Brazil
Surrounded by a contagiously exciting environment, Rio de Janeiro is now being projected to the world for its commitment to a fair electoral process rather than for its famous carnivals or mulattas.

The city, considered the center of the universe for most nationals, is getting polling stations ready for the October 1 elections.

"The election will be decided here," Cassiano Figueiredo Queiroz, veteran taxi driver who considers his opinion the voice of the people. But analysts of the political Brazilian panorama reject such categorical statement.

President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva will have a secure stronghold in Rio during the elections, but Geraldo Alckmin, former governor of the powerful Sao Paolo state, will be also contesting for the presidency next Sunday, representing the Brazilian social democracy.

He is following Lula in the intention of votes, but with a 15 percent difference in favour of Lula.

Referring to Alckmin, philosophy student Juninha Galvao told Prensa Latina "the worst thing that could happen to Brazil is to have him as president."

Lula´s main project was to win in the first round, but it seems that will not be possible, Galvao noted.

Today, most of the population supports the president, but the role of the middle class in the media cannot be ruled out, she went on.

In the meantime, experts from Datafolha and IBOPE polling firms agree reports "will not have a considerable impact" in the Sunday results, when Lula hopes to win in the first round.