Brazil's general elections this year will test the country's democracy because of threats from President Jair Bolsonaro, who has questioned the legitimacy of its voting system, Human Rights Watch said .

In its annual report, Human Rights Watch called on Brazil's Supreme Court, Congress and other democratic institutions to remain watchful and resist any attempts by Bolsonaro to undermine the October elections.

Human Rights Watch Brazil director Maria Laura Canineu said that President Bolsonaro has tried to weaken the pillars of democracy by attacking the judiciary and repeating baseless allegations of election fraud.

The report says his government has promoted policies that contradict human rights in various areas, including indigenous rights, women's rights, the rights of people with disabilities and freedom of expression.