What is permitted and not permitted during elections in Brazil (I)

Elections in Brazil are tightly controlled by the Federal Election Board (“Tribunal Superior Eleitoral – TSE” also known as “Justiça Eleitoral”), which, as the name in Portuguese suggests, is a court system. There are a series of norms and procedures that must be followed by voters, political parties and candidates, as well as people who work for candidates in their campaigns. Here is a quick look at what can and cannot be done in this year’s October midterm elections (“eleições municipais”) when only mayors and seats in local legislative assemblies (“vereadores”) are in play. The first vote takes place on October 7, and in cities with populations of over 200,000, a runoff election will take place on October 28, if necessary.

Internet

Allowed: Parties and candidates, after informing the Justiça Eleitoral, are allowed to have official websites using servers in Brazil. They can run campaign ads using blogs and social sites, such as Orkut, Facebook, Twitter, along with messaging. It is also allowed to send emails, as long as the voter has the option to unsubscribe. Newspapers and magazines are allowed to reproduce articles on their websites.

Not allowed to place or run campaign ads on corporate sites, whether they are for profit or nonprofit, or run campaign ads on government sites.

T-Shirts, Key Rings, Hats, Pens and campaign merchandise in general

Allowed:  The sale of these items by political parties or colligations as long as they do not have the name and number of candidates or the office he or she is running for.

Not allowed: The manufacture, use or distribution of these items by candidates. Any other material of this type that gives a voter an advantage is also prohibited.

Political Rallies

Allowed: They may take place until midnight October 5. Public announcement system may be used. Bands (“trio elétrico”) must remain stationary, playing only jingles and messages for candidate.

Not allowed: Shows with presentations of popular artists, paid or not, to animate the audience.