TSE Minister annuls Garotinho’s votes in the dispute for the Government of Rio

Minister Floriano Marques, from the TSE (Superior Electoral Court), determined this Friday (2) that the votes for former governor Anthony Garotinho (Republicans) in the dispute for the Government of Rio de Janeiro be considered null.

The decision responds to a request from the coalition of former mayor Eduardo Paes (PSD), candidate in the dispute, which highlighted a risk to the legitimacy of the electoral process.

"In view of the context narrated, and given the duty of the Electoral Court to avoid voters' uncertainty and instability in the election, the hypothesis is of immediate reversal of the previously granted injunction request, because, at least until the appeal against the decision of the original instance is judged, the potential eligibility condition that is essential for the candidate's sub judice status lacks plausibility", wrote the minister in his decision.

The former governor did not comment until the publication of this report.

Until the minister's injunction, Garotinho would have his votes counted, impacting the calculation of the percentages of the other candidates.

Paes' campaign pointed to a scenario of instability because votes for the former governor could be decisive in determining whether or not there will be a second round.

According to the Datafolha survey released this Thursday (1st), Paes has 47% of valid voting intentions, against 35% for the president of Alerj (Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro), Douglas Ruas (PL), and 8% for Garotinho.

If this scenario were repeated at the polls and Garotinho's votes were subsequently considered null, the former mayor would gain 51%, enough to be elected in the first round.