TSE judges electoral investigation actions against Bolsonaro and Lula

The plenary of the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) will begin judging from next Tuesday (10) actions on irregularities that were allegedly committed by former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) and president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) still during last year’s election campaign.

The actions were released for judgment last week by the rapporteur, Minister Benedito Gonçalves, who is also the Electoral Inspector General. Gonçalves will be the first to vote presenting his opinion on the cases. Afterwards, they will have the opportunity to speak for equal time for the prosecution and defense, informed the Brazil Agency.

Actions against Bolsonaro

In Bolsonaro’s case, the accusations are alleged abuse of political power and misuse of the media, both crimes covered by electoral legislation. On Tuesday (10), three electoral judicial investigation actions will be judged that call for the former president’s ineligibility.

The actions were filed by the Brasil da Esperança coalition, which supported Lula, and by the PDT, the party of former candidate Ciro Gomes. In them, the main accusation is the use of the Palácio do Planalto and Alvorada to carry out campaign events.

Bolsonaro’s political opponents allege that the palaces, which are respectively the headquarters of the Executive and official residence, were the stage for live broadcasts by the then president over the internet, in which he appears asking for votes and presenting saints from allies, in addition to presenting ideas and ask for votes for yourself.

Vice-presidential candidate Walter Braga Netto is also the target of Judicial Electoral Investigation Actions (Aijes). In June, the TSE made Bolsonaro ineligible for eight years for abuse of power and misuse of purpose due to a meeting with ambassadors in July last year, in which he criticized the credibility of electronic voting machines.

Actions against Lula

The following week, starting October 17th, it is Lula’s turn to be tried for alleged misuse of the media. The two actions were filed by the Pelo Bem do Brasil coalition, which supported Bolsonaro. In the first case, the accusation is that the then candidates Lula and Geraldo Alckmin, vice president, promoted “fraudulent news” and “withheld from the electorate” information about the triplex case.

Bolsonaro’s lawyers pointed out that when searching for terms such as “Lula condemned” and “Lula triple”, the main results would be sponsored content favorable to the PT member. In the second action, Bolsonaro’s coalition points out the alleged practice of improper use of the media.

“The accusation alleges that the then candidate Lula disseminated irregular electoral propaganda with the undue support of one of the largest television stations in the country and with a wide reach, with the aim of massively reaching voters, in addition to asking for votes”, reported the TSE.