Brazilian electoral courts rule on municipal mandate revocations

The Regional Electoral Court of Alagoas (TRE-AL) unanimously overturned the revocation of the mandates for the mayor and vice-mayor of Maribondo, Bruno Teixeira and José Ubiratan Ferreira. The court also dismissed an eight-year ineligibility ruling. The decision followed an investigation into alleged abuse of economic power during the 2024 pre-campaign involving local festivities. The rapporteur, Judge Rodrigo Malta Prata Lima, noted a lack of robust evidence, such as bank statements or receipts, linking the politicians' personal assets to the funding of these community events.

In a separate matter, the Regional Electoral Court of Rio Grande do Sul (TRE-RS) upheld the revocation of the mandates for the mayor and vice-mayor of Arroio do Sal, Luciano Pinto da Silva and Valdir Cenci. The court confirmed the practice of economic power abuse and the use of unrecorded funds, specifically citing over 170 PIX transfers made through a personal account. Consequently, new elections for the municipality have been scheduled for October 25, 2026.