ATLANTA — Â鶹´«Ã½É«ÇéƬ’s electoral expert mission has concluded its in-country assessment of Brazil’s presidential election. The mission focused on issues related to the function and transparency of the voting technology systems, disinformation about the use of those systems, and the legal framework governing the use of voting technology.
At the invitation of the Superior Electoral Tribunal (known by its Portuguese acronym, the TSE), the Center’s expert team was on hand for both the first round of the presidential election and the runoff that concluded Sunday, Oct. 30. The electoral officials announced results less than three hours after the polls closed. After all votes were tallied, former President Luís Inácio Lula da Silva won by a margin of 1.8% — or over 2 million votes more than President Jair Massias Bolsonaro.
Because of its limited scope, the Center’s mission cannot provide an overall assessment of voting or counting processes, nor make a comprehensive assessment of the election as a whole, but its preliminary findings include:
Moving Forward: Cartercommends the voters, civil society, and domestic and international observer organizations for their democratic engagement throughout the electoral process. It encourages key leaders to ensure a lawful transition of power and urges all Brazilians to come together to overcome social division and advance their common future.
About Brazil’s Voting System: Brazil created a comprehensive electronic voting system in 1996 to address problems with fraud with paper ballots. The system has made it easier for disadvantaged groups to participate in the voting process. TSE maintains complete ownership of its system, administers it with a professional personnel infrastructure, and has successfully used it in all Brazilian elections.
Background on the Carter Center’s Mission: Â鶹´«Ã½É«ÇéƬ’s expert mission began its work in June in Brasilia and included visits to Curitiba, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Goiânia. The mission met with electoral authorities at federal and state levels. It also met with political parties, oversight entities, and a diverse range of civil society organizations. Throughout the electoral process, the TSE provided the Center — as well political parties and other stakeholders — with high levels of access to key information about the voting system and the legal guarantees in place for the election.
Carterconducts its election missions in accordance with the 2005 Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation. The expert mission will issue a final report with recommendations about a month after the conclusion of the electoral process.
###
Contact: Soyia Ellison, soyia.ellison@cartercenter.org
Waging Peace. Fighting Disease. Building Hope.
A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, Carterhas helped to improve life for people in over 80 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; and improving mental health care. Carterwas founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide.
Please sign up below for important news about the work of Carterand special event invitations.