The Superior Electoral Court (TSE), in a decision taken by its president, Minister Alexandre de Moraes, and then approved by the institution’s plenary, authorized the deployment of military personnel from the Armed Forces to reinforce security and help with the logistics of this year’s elections.
The Ministry of Defense confirmed that it will support the Superior Electoral Court (TSE). Requests for Federal Forces support have been authorized in 568 locations in 11 states: Acre, Alagoas, Amazonas, Ceará, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Pará, Piauí, Rio de Janeiro and Tocantins. The requests were made to reinforce security in states with public security issues and with fear of political violence, as well as to comply with requirements demanded by the TSE, such as prohibiting the carrying of weapons in the polling stations. There are also states that have requested reinforcement for indigenous and quilombola areas.
Previous Elections
The possibility for the TSE to request the assistance of the Federal Forces legally exists since 1965. The requests for assistance from the Federal Forces are sent to the TSE by the Regional Electoral Courts (TREs), which must state the reasons that justify the request. In 2018, 513 locations in 11 states had military personnel present during the election. In the 2016 municipal elections, 467 cities required support in the first round of voting. In the first round of the 2014 General Elections, 279 cities were supported by Federal Forces.
Supporting Forces
According to the Ministry of Defense, military personnel from the Navy, the Army, and the Air Force will guarantee the security of the electoral zones and help with the logistics of ballot box distribution and the transport of personnel to communities located in rural, indigenous, and riverside areas. The Military Police also has an important role in the elections, guaranteeing the security of all those involved in the process, normally carrying out ostensive policing and preserving public order. The Military Police, the Judiciary and the Public Prosecutor’s Office are the only institutions present in every electoral zone in the country. During the elections they maintain constant contact for the maintenance of the Law. Besides these corporations, the Civil Police also supports the TSE by providing reports regarding public security issues to each location and developing plans and strategies for the enforcement of the elections, specially concerning the new restrictions of carrying of weapons and cell phones in electoral zones.
Common Crimes on Election Days
Historically, election days always have arrests, in 2020, for example, 580 election crimes were reported and 144 people were arrested, including 45 candidates. The most common crime is always the so-called boca de urna, that is, electoral propaganda prohibited by law from being carried out on election day. In addition, some people are also arrested for causing disorder that hinders election works. Violence is not the rule, given that there is a strong ostensive policing apparatus that inhibits such attitudes. However, it is not recommended to engage in political discussions on this day in the electoral zone and surrounding area. Besides security, another important concern of the public authorities is guaranteeing the right to vote and a good performance of the electoral process.
