André Mendonça votes in Brasília: ‘May the big winner be the voter, be the country’

Mendonça spent less than ten minutes at the school where he voted and received two bibles, a Brazilian flag and a statue of Justice from voters.

On the occasion, he stated that the end of the elections marks the beginning of a “new cycle” in the country and said he hoped that the voter would be the main winner of the electoral process.

"The elections end today and the beginning of a new cycle begins within the country, where those who are retained, those who are elected renewing, can do the best for the country. That's what we hope," he stated.

“May the big winner be the voters, or the country”, he added.

Free choice

The minister also stated that voters arrived on voting day with information to make their choices freely.

“I would like to especially thank all the citizens who followed these months of electoral campaign and today have the information, they can make their decision with total freedom to choose what is best for the country”, he said.

André Mendonça also stated that this Sunday is “an important day in the country's history” as it marks the end of the elections.

"Today the elections close. The people decide freely and safely who will represent them, whether at the federal or national level, or also in five states plus the Federal District", he declared.

Professionals involved

The minister also thanked the Electoral Court employees and the almost 2 million poll workers who, according to him, are working this Sunday.

“At the same time, I want to thank the Electoral Court employees, who have worked tirelessly to make this happen safely and fully, to the almost 2 million poll workers who are working today,” he stated.

Mendonça also thanked the press and highlighted the role of journalists in covering the elections, “not only in the transparency of what is happening, but in monitoring the entire electoral campaign”.

Mendonça assumed the vice-presidency of the TSE in May. Minister Kassio Nunes Marques assumed the presidency of the Electoral Court.

Although he is from São Paulo, Mendonça transferred his vote to Brasília and has been voting in the capital for years, according to the minister's press office.