Brazilian justice extends voting by two hours following reports of difficulties reaching the polls

Voting in Brazil was extended this Sunday until 7:00 p.m. by decision of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), after difficulties were reported in the transport of voters in different regions of the country during the second round of the presidential elections.

The measure was adopted by magistrate Cristiano Zanin, who granted a request filed by the campaign of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, of the Workers’ Party (PT), following reports of irregularities in public transport that allegedly prevented numerous citizens from reaching polling stations on time.

With this provision, the closing of polling stations moves from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Brasilia time, equivalent to 6:00 p.m. in the Dominican Republic.

Voting issues in Brazil

The coalition supporting Lula’s reelection argued before the court that difficulties in passenger transport compromised the exercise of the right to vote, especially in locations where a reduction in public transport units was reported.

Among the affected areas are cities in the state of Bahia, such as Salvador, Feira de Santana, and Lauro de Freitas, where electoral authorities received complaints related to the availability of buses.

The ruling party’s request sought to ensure that citizens affected by these situations would have additional time to go to the polls.

Brazil voting: another request

Separately, opposition Senator Flávio Bolsonaro’s electoral team filed a petition to extend voting in municipalities where heavy rainfall caused flooding, power outages, and travel difficulties.

Although both candidacies presented different reasons, their requests coincided in the need to facilitate the participation of voters affected by circumstances beyond their control.

The controversy over the schedule arose during a day in which Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro are competing for the Presidency of the Republic.

The extension of voting hours in Brazil represents an extraordinary modification to the conduct of these elections, whose original schedule established the closing of the polls at 5:00 p.m.