In a strong speech in defense of the electoral process, Fachin called on voters to protect the right to vote and pointed out that criticism of the security of the electronic ballot box is for “self-interest.”

He highlighted that 26 years ago this computerized receptacle was adopted in the country and various experiments point to the integrity of the system, which guarantees the secrecy of the vote.

“For a quarter of a century, the Brazilian electoral system has been presented and is safe and reliable. All the candidates elected in Brazil, from councilors to the President of the Republic, obtained all the votes that were granted to them at the polls,” reiterated in the first session of the semester in court.

Without mentioning the ultra-right-leaning president Jair Bolsonaro, who questions the national electoral method, Fachin indicated that “whoever vociferates not accepting a different result from the victory is not defending the audit of the electronic ballot boxes and the voting process.”

He is defending, he remarked, “only the self-interest of not being held accountable for the inherent conduct or for the inability to be voted for by the majority of the Brazilian population.” He stressed that democracy does not entail actions that preach against the will of the population.

He stressed his request to Brazilians to protect their constitutional right to vote, “in whoever you want, for the reason you consider fair and correct. Do not give in to speeches that only want to spread false news and violence,” he added.

Bolsonaro met on July 18 with a group of foreign diplomats and without evidence denounced that the 2018 elections were rigged and the electronic ballot box is not transparent.

Such statements generated various reactions from authorities of the Legislative and Judicial powers, as well as from civil society entities.

The day before, the president of the Federal Supreme Court, Luiz Fux, asked for respect among the electoral candidates in Brazil, where it will never be too late to remember that everyone must remain loyal to the Constitution.

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