Bolsonaro begins his letter, which he posted on his X account, saying “I address the Brazilian people and the international community as the leader of Brazil”.

However, he had posted a earlier model, that was later deleted, in which he wrote: “I address the Brazilian people and the international community as the rightful president of Brazil.”

Both variations repeat the allegation that Bolsonaro first made on election evening, that an extension of polling hours on Sunday had benefited his rival.

In the letter, he says it was “an electoral fraud unfolding before my eyes”.

The extension was requested by both Lula’s and Bolsonaro’s marketing campaign groups, and the head of Brazil’s electoral authority has said that the vote proceeded usually and in full accordance with the nation’s legal guidelines and structure.

An evaluation of election knowledge performed by BBC Brazil and BBC Verify has also discovered that only around 34,000 folks voted during the prolonged hours – far decrease than the 4.4 million votes that separated Lula from Bolsonaro.

In his letter, Bolsonaro also addresses his departure from Brazil – which brought on confusion after he disappeared for more than 24 hours.

It later emerged that he had gone across the land border to Argentina, and from there flew on to Florida, following a temporary refuelling cease in Ecuador.