#conversation #ambassadors #Bolsonaro #questions #electoral #system
President Jair Bolsonaro questioned Brazil’s electoral system again on Monday, less than three months before the presidential election that all polls say he will lose.
“We want to correct the shortcomings, we want transparency, a real democracy,” said the far-right leader, who has repeatedly tried to cast doubt on the country’s electronic voting system.
He further blew up the electoral system in a nearly hour-long speech at the presidential palace in Brasilia, before several dozen ambassadors specially invited to listen to him discuss the issue.
Notable guests included ambassadors from France and Spain, among others.
Voters in Brazil cast their ballots electronically at polling stations.
But Bolsonaro has long advocated a hard copy of every vote cast, suggesting the lack of a paper trail makes cheating easier.
He has presented no evidence of fraud and the Supreme Electoral Court insists the system is fair and transparent.
“We are three months away from the election,” Bolsonaro said. “We cannot hold elections under distrust.”
His repeated questioning of the system has prompted the Supreme Court to launch an investigation into Bolsonaro.
It is widely predicted that Bolsonaro will lose to leftist former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in October.
Bolsonaro’s comments have led analysts to fear he may refuse to accept defeat in a scenario similar to the January 2021 invasion of the US Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump, a Bolsonaro hero.
Defense Secretary Paulo Sergio Nogueira suggested at a Senate hearing last week that “parallel voting” be held with a special ballot box for paper ballots.
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