Brief
Amazonas court rejects Indigenous transport petition ahead of Brazil runoff
Indigenous groups say lack of transport could keep thousands from voting in the Sunday runoff between Lula and Bolsonaro.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Indigenous communities in Brazil's Amazon fear they will be unable to reach polling stations for Sunday’s presidential runoff after the Amazonas state electoral court rejected a petition for transportation assistance, Independent reported.
What happened
The court’s decision came on Tuesday, following a request filed on Oct. 13 by Univaja, an association representing Indigenous peoples of the Javari Valley. The petition sought boat transport for voters who live up to 895 km (556 miles) from the nearest polling place, a journey that can take three to five days. The judge said the short notice, low river levels and the need for slower boats made it impossible to arrange transport in time.
What the reports add
According to the article, the judge also noted that the region’s logistical challenges sometimes require military aircraft to move voting machines and election workers because of “access barriers.” The Indigenous rights unit at the Amazonas Public Defender’s Office has also petitioned authorities after receiving reports of difficulties reaching polling places.
What was said
“We usually help the electoral authorities organize the logistics so these voters can get to the polls," said Eliesio Marubo, an Indigenous lawyer with Univaja. “This year was very different: the electoral authorities made no contact about organizing transportation. We had a very high abstention rate in the first round.” The judge added that public authorities lack the resources to meet the needs of the Javari Valley communities during the dry season.
How it came about
In the first round of the election, former President Jair Bolsonaro won in Manaus, while President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva prevailed in interior municipalities, including the Javari Valley. The region, home to about 6,300 people, has long relied on river transport for voting; until 2012 the only voting centres were in Atalaia do Norte. The runoff on Sunday will decide both the state governor and the president.
Key facts
- The Amazonas state electoral court rejected a petition for Indigenous transport on Oct. 13. (independent.co.uk)
- Some Javari Valley voters live up to 895 km from polling stations, requiring 3‑5 day boat trips. (independent.co.uk)
- Eliesio Marubo of Univaja said electoral authorities did not contact Indigenous groups about logistics this year. (independent.co.uk)
- The judge cited low river levels and short notice as reasons transport could not be arranged. (independent.co.uk)
- The runoff will decide Brazil’s president and Amazonas governor on Sunday. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Indigenous voters in Brazil's Amazon fear missing runoff after court denies transportation”
