Brazil: President Bolsonaro in the sights of electoral justice

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro during a ceremony in Brasilia, Monday, August 2, 2021. AP - Eraldo Peres

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In Brazil, with the approach of the general elections next year, President Bolsonaro is targeted by the highest electoral court for his attacks on the electronic voting system and for spreading false news about the elections. 

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The Higher Electoral Court decided on Monday to investigate Jair Bolsonaro for his constant and unproven attacks on the legitimacy of the electronic voting system.

The high electoral court also asked the Supreme Federal Court (STF) to investigate the far-right leader for spreading false news about the elections. 

At the origin of the request for the investigation against Jair Bolsonaro is the speech broadcast live on Facebook last Thursday in which he claimed for more than two hours that the last two presidential elections had been marred by fraud.

And to prevent this from happening again in the next election in 2022, which he intends to win, Jair Bolsonaro requested that a receipt be printed at the time of the electronic vote so that each vote can be recounted in the event of a dispute.

A system that has proven itself for 25 years

A president who calls into question the transparency of a system which has nevertheless proved its worth for 25 years, it was obviously too much for the authorities concerned.

Unanimously, the Higher Electoral Court (TSE) has launched an investigation to determine whether Jair Bolsonaro has committed offenses of abuse of power, corruption and fraud.

Another investigation, this time into the spread of false news about the electoral system, could be opened by the Supreme Federal Court (STF).

In the meantime, the far-right president reiterated his accusations of fraud on Monday, saying his 2018 victory was "

 a miracle 

".

And to add that only God could withdraw his mandate. 

This speech finds an echo with part of his electorate.

Last Sunday, thousands of people demonstrated in several cities in Brazil, including Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia, in favor of the printed ballot.

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See also: Brazil: supporters of Jair Bolsonaro in the street against electronic voting

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• Brazil

• Jair Bolsonaro

• Justice