The Superior Electoral Court (TSE) of Brazil took this Friday that, between Saturday and Monday, the carrying of weapons by citizens will be suspended, due to the presidential, legislative and regional elections on Sunday .
The measure, unanimously approved by the seven members of the TSE, extends a decision that had already limited the carrying of weapons in a perimeter of one hundred meters around the voting centers, but only for Sunday.
The TSE explained in a note that the expansion of that previous decision was the product of a suggestion by the police chiefs of the 27 states of the country.
According to the statement, the ban on shooting clubs, which have multiplied exponentially in Brazil due to the arms policies promoted in recent years by President Jair Bolsonaro, who is now running for re-election.
The new resolution says that “the transport of weapons and ammunition throughout the national territory” will be prohibited, including “by collectors, members of shooting clubs and hunters, in the preceding 24 hours and the following 24 hours” to the elections.
It adds that “the purpose of the measure is to protect the exercise of the vote from any and all threats, concrete or potential,” and is aimed at “preventing armed confrontations derived from political violence.”
The TSE adds that “peaceful elections are the essence of democracy” and that “it is up to the Powers of the State to prevent potentially sensitive situations.”
In recent weeks, there have been at least three deaths caused by political discussions, especially among followers of Bolsonaro, leader of the extreme right, and former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, candidate of a progressive front and favorite to win these elections.
Also, circulate videos on social networks instigating a violent reaction in the event of a Lula victory.
This same Thursday, a video was released in which a man who calls himself a Bolsonarista passes his tongue over the barrel of a rifle and gives Bolsonaro “an order.” “When you win the elections, you are going to strike a blow in Congress and the Supreme Court,” he says.