TSE Receives Over 5,700 Reports of Voting Irregularities During 2024 Municipal Elections
Today, the Tribunal Superior Eleitoral (TSE) released updated data on the incidents reported during the first round of the 2024 municipal elections. As of October 6th, the TSE’s Pardal app—a tool designed to collect reports of irregularities—had received a staggering 5,795 reports across Brazil. These complaints primarily involved various forms of electoral misconduct, with the most significant issue being illegal campaign activities near polling stations, commonly known as "boca de urna." This accounted for over half of the reports, with 3,401 cases. Other issues included the illegal posting of campaign banners and distribution of pamphlets, with 230 and 207 reports respectively.
In addition to the complaints, the TSE also addressed technical issues with the electronic voting machines. By 3:30 p.m. on election day, 2,651 machines had been replaced due to malfunctions, representing approximately 0.5% of all devices used in the country. Although these malfunctions are not unusual during large-scale elections, the TSE was prepared with backup equipment to ensure that voting could proceed without significant disruptions. Only one voting section had to resort to manual voting methods, underscoring the resilience of the system.
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For voters who were unable to attend the polls, the e-TÃtulo app provided a platform to justify their absence. By the same afternoon, 2.4 million voters had submitted their justifications through the app, while the platform recorded 10.4 million queries about voting locations.
This election round is significant for the country’s over 155 million eligible voters, who are choosing city council members and mayors in 5,569 municipalities. In some locations, voters are also participating in referendums. While the majority of races will be decided in this first round, a second round of voting is scheduled for October 27th in 103 municipalities where no mayoral candidate secures more than half of the valid votes.
These numbers offer a glimpse into the complexities of running a national election in a country as vast as Brazil. From technical hurdles to illegal campaigning, the TSE faces numerous challenges in ensuring a smooth electoral process. However, the significant volume of reports submitted and addressed through tools like the Pardal app shows the proactive role that the public and institutions are playing in safeguarding the integrity of the elections. As the TSE continues to process these reports and address concerns, all eyes will be on the upcoming second round to see how the situation evolves.
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