Images show the dumping of campaign material in front of a polling place

The images obtained by g1 show the vehicle passing along the road during the early hours of the morning. Afterwards, a large amount of campaign material is thrown onto the street in front of the teaching unit.

The Regional Electoral Court of São Paulo (TRE-SP) reinforced, before this Sunday's vote, that the spillage or consent to the spillage of printed propaganda material in polling places or on nearby roads constitutes irregular propaganda, including when practiced on the eve of the election.

According to TRE-SP, the dissemination of propaganda on election day, including the spilling of saints, can result in imprisonment for six months to one year, a sentence that can be replaced by provision of services to the community for the same period. A fine of R$ 5,320.50 to R$ 15,961.50 is also foreseen.

The Electoral Court may also analyze the case as irregular electoral propaganda. The jurisprudence of the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) recognizes that the shedding of cards on public roads close to polling places, in the early hours of election day, characterizes irregular electoral propaganda.

The TSE has already decided that the beneficiary candidate may be held responsible when the circumstances of the case demonstrate that it is impossible for him or her not to have been aware of the advertisement.

In 2024, for example, the TSE imposed a fine of R$24,000 on a federal deputy and his party, in solidarity, for spilling holy cards near three voting locations during the 2022 Elections.

In addition to the attempt to display campaign material a few hours before the polls opened, TRE-SP highlights another problem caused by the practice: the risk of accidents.

According to the court, the accumulation of paper on the streets can hamper circulation and cause falls, especially among the elderly and people with reduced mobility.