Brazil's Supreme Court Suspends Requirement of Paper Votes in This Year's Elections [View all]

[Judi Lynn]

06/07/2018 - 10H54


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REYNALDO TUROLLO JR.

FROM BRASÍLIA

With eight votes in favor and two against, the majority of Brazil's Supreme Court decided to suspend the implantation of paper ballots in this year's elections and only electronic ballot boxes will be used.

On Wednesday, June 6, the members of the Supreme Court made a decision on the injunction following a Direct Action on Unconstitutionality (ADI, in Portuguese) filed by the country's Attorney General, Raquel Dodge, who had questioned a part of the short electoral reform made by the Congress in 2015.

The rapporteur of the case, Justice Gilmar Mendes, spoke ironically as he cited the idea that the elections in Brazil are a fraud. "After the statements made here [by those who defend paper votes], we have to believe that perhaps we did not actually reach the moon. There are beliefs and even a religion around this theme," he said.

However, Justice Mendes believes that it is up to the Congress to make a decision on the subject, as long as the implementation of paper votes is done gradually and according to the resources available.

More:
https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/internacional/en/brazil/2018/06/1971217-brazils-supreme-court-suspends-requirement-of-paper-votes-in-this-years-elections.shtml