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Romeu Zema investigated for using cell phone in voting booth
The Regional Electoral Court of Minas Gerais (TRE-MG) is investigating presidential candidate Romeu Zema for using a cell phone inside a voting booth during the 2026 elections in Araxá. The incident was captured during the voting process.
TRE-MG President Carlos Henrique Perpétuo Braga stated that the use of electronic devices in the booth is prohibited by law to ensure vote secrecy and can be classified as an electoral crime. He described the event as a “succession of mistakes” and noted that poll workers had been instructed to prevent such occurrences. The investigation will initially be handled by a local electoral judge.
Zema defended his actions, stating he was not informed that he needed to leave the device with poll workers before voting. He compared the phone to a finger, noting he carries it constantly, and asserted that he did not use the device to photograph or record his vote.
Entities
Achismos Podcast · Araxá · Carlos Henrique Perpétuo Braga · Fernando Haddad · Novo · Renan Santos · Romeu Zema · Ronaldo Caiado · TRE-MG · TSE · Tribunal Regional Eleitoral de Minas Gerais
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 17 SOURCES] Article 91-A of the Elections Law prohibits carrying cell phones, cameras, or video recorders inside the voting booth. portalbnu.com.br · vtvnews.com.br · www.acessa.com · marioadolfo.com · www.blogdovestibular.com · +6 more
- [● 15 SOURCES] The TRE-MG will investigate the circumstances of the incident after the local electoral judge conducts an initial inquiry. portalbnu.com.br · vtvnews.com.br · www.acessa.com · marioadolfo.com · fatopaulista.com.br · +4 more
- [● 15 SOURCES] Zema explained his habit of carrying the phone constantly, comparing it to a finger. vtvnews.com.br · marioadolfo.com · www.blogdovestibular.com · clicrdc.com.br · portalbnu.com.br · +6 more
- [● 18 SOURCES] Romeu Zema stated he did not use the phone to take photos or record his vote and that he was not instructed to leave the device outside. portalbnu.com.br · vtvnews.com.br · www.acessa.com · marioadolfo.com · www.blogdovestibular.com · +6 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] Violating vote secrecy can be classified as an electoral crime punishable by up to two years of detention. www.acessa.com · marioadolfo.com · fatopaulista.com.br · portalbnu.com.br · vtvnews.com.br · +3 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] Romeu Zema entered the voting booth with a cell phone during the 2026 elections in Araxá, Minas Gerais. portalbnu.com.br · vtvnews.com.br · www.acessa.com · marioadolfo.com · www.blogdovestibular.com · +5 more