Andre Ventura from the right-wing Chega party comes second with 12 percent of the vote. Socialist candidate and former member of the European Parliament, Ana Gomes, is currently third with 9.3 percent.
The country held its presidential election despite being in a state of emergency over COVID-19, with the incumbent leader contending for the presidential post along with six other candidates. Before the vote, polls showed that Rebelo de Sousa was expected to get over 60 percent of the vote and win in the first round. The vote turnout is expected to be 45-50 percent.
Portugal is the first EU nation to hold an election in 2021 so far.