It all started when the city hall of Porto Alegre, in Rio Grande do Sul, announced the end of free transport on voting day, something that had already been in effect in the city for almost 30 years.
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Digital influencers denounced the action as a way to prevent poorer people from traveling to voting locations on election day.
YouTuber Felipe Neto was one of the internet celebrities to raise his voice denouncing the mayor of Porto Alegre, Sebastião Melo (MDB), of carrying out an electoral maneuver because he is a known supporter of President Jair Bolsonaro (PL).
It is the first time, since 1995, that the city of Porto Alegre will not have a free pass on election day. Left-wing politicians argue that the decision affects the vote of low-income voters and could increase abstention on Sunday.
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According to research by Datafolha, the electorate that receives up to two minimum wages is the most populous and would be the most favorable to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT), Bolsonaro's opponent in the presidential election. (Folha de S.Paulo)
Mayor Sebastião Melo sanctioned the law at the end of last year and defended himself on social media. But it was also contested by opponents:
Nationalized dispute
Senator Randolfe Rodrigues (Rede-AP) sued the Federal Superior Court (STF) to guarantee free transportation in all cities in the country. The Action for Non-compliance with a Fundamental Precept (ADPF) was filed on Wednesday afternoon (28).
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“In addition to the case of Porto Alegre, there is information that Bolsonarian city halls may take measures to increase abstention and thus try to avoid Lula’s victory in the first round on Sunday”, says the senator. “For this reason, we ask that all means be ensured to take voters to the polls.”
According to the STF press office, there is still no forecast for the judgment of the action.
