Published • loading... • Updated
As gangs gain influence, Brazil seeks to shield election from candidates with criminal ties
Prosecutors are using a 2024 electoral ruling to challenge 20 candidates without appellate convictions, raising due process concerns among legal experts.
- On Sept 22, Brazil launched an unprecedented effort to keep candidates suspected of criminal ties off the ballot for October's general election, aiming to block organized crime from institutionalizing power.
- Brazilian legislation typically requires an appellate conviction to bar candidates, yet a 2024 Superior Electoral Court precedent now allows officials to challenge candidacies based on evidence rather than waiting for final convictions.
- A Reuters review of 20 rulings shows none of the barred candidates have appellate convictions, including individuals charged in three murder cases or convicted with a 36-year sentence for illegal firearms possession.
- Candidate Clebio Lopes Jacare, barred over alleged criminal ties, called the move "interference" that "leads to a dictatorship," while critics argue the judicial measures are unconstitutional and undermine democracy.
- Officials have moved voting locations in Rio to avoid gang-dominated areas, with Claudio de Mello Tavares noting that polling stations "where the voting machine will be transported in an armored vehicle" raise obvious safety concerns.
Insights by Ground AI
6 Articles
6 Articles
As gangs gain influence, Brazil seeks to shield election from candidates with criminal ties
Brazil has opened a new front against organized crime to keep candidates suspected of criminal ties off the ballot at October's general election in what experts say is an unprecedented effort in Latin American politics.
·London, United Kingdom
Read Full ArticleCoverage Details
Total News Sources6
Leaning Left1Leaning Right2Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
L 17%
C 50%
R 33%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
