Court signs agreement for international observation of elections

The Superior Electoral Court (TSE) signed on Tuesday (Aug. 2) the third cooperation agreement that allows the sending of international missions to monitor the Brazilian electoral process. The new agreement was signed with the Inter-American Union of Electoral Organizations (Uniore).

Under the agreement, representatives of the entity must observe the impartiality and independence of the voting process during the October elections.

According to the Court´s Head Minister Edson Fachin, the purpose of the agreement is to improve the Brazilian electoral system and democracy.

“The court, faithful to its mission of preparing, organizing, and holding clean and safe elections, opens its doors to international observation and analysis, with full transparency so that observations and recommendations are made that collaborate for our continuous and incessant effort to modernize and deepen institutional integrity,” he said.

Besides Uniore, representatives of the Mercosur Parliament (Parlasur) and the Organization of American States (OAS) have also been authorized by the Brazilian Superior Electoral Court to carry out observation missions. The participation of eight missions from national entities is planned, as well.

International missions from other entities have also been invited to act as observers of the elections, including the Electoral Network of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), the World Network for Electoral Justice, and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (Ifes).

Other elections in Brazil have already had international observers such as OAS missions, for example, in 2018, and 2020.