Man arrested armed at polling station in Caxias do Sul; RS registers 18 electoral incidents
A man was detained armed at Escola Angelina Sassi Comandulli, in Caxias do Sul, on the morning of election Sunday. RS accumulated 18 electoral incidents between Saturday and 10am on Sunday.
Man arrested with weapon at polling station school in Caxias do Sul
A man was arrested on the morning of this Sunday (25th) while attempting to enter Escola Angelina Sassi Comandulli armed, located in the Santa Fé neighbourhood in Caxias do Sul, according to a report by brasildefato.com.br. The Municipal Guard blocked the suspect's entry to the polling location and transferred him to the Civil Police. The Federal Police also attended the scene. The incident was not included in the partial update released at 10am by the Public Security Secretariat of Rio Grande do Sul (SSP-RS).
18 incidents over two days in the state
By 10am on Sunday, the SSP-RS had recorded nine incidents related to the electoral period. Among these, two involved electoral crime, one threat in the municipality of Guaíba and one theft at a polling or counting location in Porto Alegre. Four other cases were classified as miscellaneous electoral crimes, and one as irregular electoral propaganda.
Added to the nine incidents on Saturday (24th), the total reached 18 notifications. On the previous day, five crime reports were registered — in Canoas, Pelotas, Porto Alegre, Sapiranga and São Francisco de Paula — and four cases in other categories, in the municipalities of Camaquã, Muliterno, Passo Fundo and Rio Grande.
Integrated monitoring at SSP-RS headquarters
The incidents are monitored in real time by the Integrated Electoral Monitoring Cabinet, installed at SSP-RS headquarters. The group brings together representatives of the Military Police, Civil Police, Regional Electoral Court (TRE-RS), Military Fire Department and Federal Police. At the same secretariat operates the Integrated Intelligence Management Cabinet, with members from state and federal agencies, to expedite case processing. The next bulletin was scheduled for 1pm on this Sunday.
Audio without evidence circulates in WhatsApp groups
The incidents were registered amid the circulation of unfounded accusations regarding alleged voting fraud. An audio attributed to federal deputy Gustavo Gayer (PL-GO), elected senator, circulated in the WhatsApp group "Tropa do Flávio". In the audio, Gayer claims to have received reports that poll workers were voting on behalf of absent voters, especially in the Northeast, and calls on supporters to act as electoral monitors, without presenting evidence.
In a report published on 24 October, Folha de S.Paulo reported that the deputy himself acknowledged having no evidence of the accusations and described the call-out as a preventive measure.
Report of intimidation at Porto Alegre polling station
brasildefato.com.br received, on the morning of this Sunday, a report of possible intimidation at a polling station in Porto Alegre. According to the person presiding over the receiving table, a monitor identified as being linked to the PL remained positioned behind her during the proceedings. The source described the situation as a form of pressure.
In accordance with electoral rules, monitors appointed by parties, federations or coalitions may observe voting, present objections, challenge voter identity and request registration of incidents in the station record. Each party may appoint up to two monitors per table, who must present credentials and a badge. It is not permitted for monitors to enter the voting booth, interfere in the voter's choice, compromise vote secrecy, give orders to poll workers or interrupt voting on their own initiative.
How to report irregularities
Voters in Rio Grande do Sul can seek guidance at the number 148, the Electoral SOS. Possible electoral offences should be reported to the Electoral Public Ministry, according to guidance from TRE-RS. The Pardal application receives reports of irregularities, especially those related to electoral propaganda. The Electoral Misinformation Alerts System (Siade), of the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), receives communications about false or misleading content that could compromise the integrity of the process. The disclosure of an accusation alone does not constitute proof of fraud.
As for poll workers, it is worth noting that voter absences should be recorded in the voting ledger with the expression "Did Not Appear". This record does not authorise any other person to vote in place of whoever failed to appear.
Source: Google News BR — Crime