Electoral reform approved by Brazilian Congress

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A complex and controversial electoral reform was approved by Brazil's Congress on Thursday, with the measures taking effect in time for the 2018 general elections.

In order to be effective for next year's election, in which Brazilians will choose a new president and new state governors, as well as senators and both federal and state representatives, the reform rules need to be signed into law exactly one year before the election. And President Michel Temer is expected to sign them by Saturday.

Brazil’s acting President Michel Temer gives the thumb up during a meeting with party leaders of the National Congress at Planalto Palace in Brasilia, on June 15, 2016. /AFP Photo

The new regulations will change several key aspects of the electoral system in Brazil.

One of the most controversial reform rules concerns hate speech and fake news. The new law demands the suspension of all publications denounced for promoting hate speech or spreading fake news from social networks and smartphone apps, which is a move to limit fake profiles slandering candidates.

The account and the information within will get suspended following a single denouncement. Several congressmen argued that this rule violates freedom of expression, for it does not need the information to be proven as fake or slanderous before the suspension takes effect.

In other words, followers of a candidate would only need to denounce the posts defending a rival candidate for them to be deemed fake news, and the accounts would be suspended without any sort of fact checking.

Members of Brazil's Lower House of Congress voice their votes one by one over the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff in Brasilia, Brazil on April 17, 2016. /Reuters Photo‍

Press associations and other entities are pressuring Temer to veto this particular part of the reform, saying it constitutes censorship and is, therefore, unconstitutional.

Congress also approved the creation of an electoral fund, which will provide public funds for the election. Corporate funding already became forbidden in 2015. Donations from citizens were limited to the tenfold amount of the minimum wage, and campaign spending was also limited.

In addition, rules concerning the time allocated to party promotional materials on television and radio will be changed. A barrier clause will restrict advertisement time for parties which fail to achieve the minimum requirements of having either 1.5 percent of the votes in at least nine states or to elect representatives in nine states. The requirements will gradually increase until 2030.

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Source(s): Xinhua News Agency