PUBLIC STATEMENT FROM THE CIVIC WATCH IN DEFENSE OF DEMOCRACY

The Civic Watch, composed of dozens of civil society organizations based at the OAB São Paulo, closely followed the entire electoral process and now celebrates the conclusion of another election. Once again the Brazilian electoral system has proven its quality, transparency, and security, guaranteeing the Brazilian population the exercise of popular sovereignty through the vote.

In the wake of the result proclaimed by the Superior Electoral Court, the organizations of the Vigil salute Luíz Inácio Lula da Silva as the 39th President of Brazil.

From now on, it is important to act on the lessons learned from this process in 2022. The adoption of free public transportation, for example, proved to be a fundamental instrument to promote the civic exercise of voting, universalizing the access of voters to their electoral colleges. This right must be recognized as a great democratic achievement and expanded for the next elections.

It will also be important that the various allegations of abuse of political power, including those related to the actions of the Federal Highway Police (PRF) and their possible negative impact on access to polling places, be promptly investigated and, if proven, held accountable in an exemplary manner.

The Vigil concludes its work with the certainty that Brazilian democracy has been strengthened and with the hope that the country can move forward normally with an equally democratic transition between governments.