Bolsonaro of Brazil approves the transition but refuses to concede the election

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro did not concede the election he lost to leftist Lula da Silva in a brief speech, marking his first comments since results were released two days ago.

However, Chief-of-Staff Ciro Nogueira told reporters that Bolsonaro has authorized him to begin the transition process. Bolsonaro said he will continue to follow the rules of the nation’s constitution and has always been labeled as anti-democratic.

 The tightest presidential race since Brazil’s return to democracy in 1985 and the first time Bolsonaro has lost an election in his 34-year political career, including seven races for a seat in Congress’ Lower House.

Bolsonaro has repeatedly questioned the reliability of the country’s electoral system, claiming electronic voting machines are prone to fraud. Many political analysts warn that Bolsonaro appears to be laying the groundwork to reject election results.

In recent days, truck drivers and other supporters of Bolsonaro blocked hundreds of roads across the country, many saying the election had been fraudulent and some calling for military intervention and the disbandment of Congress and the Supreme Court.