Brazil electoral courts rule on advertising and polling irregularities

Brazilian electoral courts have issued rulings regarding political advertising and polling irregularities. In Alagoas, the Regional Electoral Court (TRE-AL) ordered the suspension of paid boosting for two Instagram posts from an election campaign. The court also mandated the removal of one post, ruling that it improperly established a personal link between a candidate and investigated facts without sufficient individualized evidence. The judge noted that while political criticism is permitted, electoral law prohibits using paid boosting to amplify negative propaganda against opponents.

In Santa Catarina, the Regional Electoral Court (TRE-SC) permanently suspended the dissemination of an electoral poll conducted by Instituto Verita. The court found that the survey failed to meet mandatory registration requirements, specifically regarding its geographic area. Although registered for Santa Catarina, the documentation provided listed municipalities in Maranhão. The court ruled that the institute failed to correct this error within the legal timeframe, leading to a fine of R$ 93,000.