Brazil - June 2023

The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (Tribunal Supremo Eleitoral) resolved, in a five to two decision, to ban former president Bolsonaro for eight years from running for office after determining he was guilty of abuse of power during last year’s elections. The ban would be instated retroactively from October 2022 and would bar Bolsonaro from running in the 2026 presidential race. In 2030 he would once again be eligible to run for public office. 

The Tribunal’s decision was based on a speech given by Bolsonaro before last year’s presidential elections during which, with an audience of diplomatic members, he alleged that electronic voting machines in Brazil were susceptible to being hacked. No evidence of voting machine tampering was provided in support of the allegations. The two dissenting judges considered Bolsonaro’s statement was protected by freedom of expression. 

Bolsonaro’s lawyers have stated they will appeal this decision. 

Sources: National Public Radio , British Broadcasting Corporation , El Confidencial