Andréa Pontes resigns from PL candidacy citing lack of accessibility

Andréa Pontes, a candidate for district deputy for the Liberal Party (PL) in the Distrito Federal, has resigned from her candidacy. Pontes, who is a wheelchair user, cited a lack of accessibility and inadequate conditions for competing on equal terms as the primary reasons for her departure.

In her statement, Pontes reported humiliating situations, including being forced to be carried to a second-floor recording studio for electoral broadcasts because of a lack of proper access. She also noted that she was often unable to participate in discussions because she could not reach the physical locations where other candidates were speaking.

Her resignation has caused the PL's candidate list for the Legislative Chamber of the Federal District (CLDF) to fall below the legal gender quota requirements. Under Brazilian law, parties must maintain a gender balance between 30% and 70%. With Pontes' departure, the list currently contains 7 women and 17 men, which is irregular. Legal experts suggest the party may need to reduce the number of male candidates to restore compliance with the law.