TRE do Pará determines urgent measures to guarantee free transport to voters in the 2nd round

The Regional Electoral Court of Pará (TRE-PA) determined, this Saturday (24), urgent measures to ensure that voters have access to free intercity transport to vote in the second round of the 2026 Elections, this Sunday (25). The decision responds to a request from the Public Electoral Ministry (MPE).

The injunction was signed by judge Marcus Alan de Melo Gomes, rapporteur of the case, and must be complied with immediately. The fine for non-compliance is R$1,000 per hour, charged separately to the company or body responsible for each unfulfilled obligation.

The decision applies to the State of Pará, the Agency for Regulation and Control of Public Transport Services of the State of Pará (Artran/PA) and four companies: Arapari Navegação Ltda.; Jarumã Rodofluvial Ltda.; Rodofluvial Banav Ltda.; Henvil Transportes Ltda.

g1 requested a position from the State of Pará and Artran and is trying to contact the companies investigated in the TRE do Pará action.

Free intercity road and waterway transport was established by State Decree No. 5,715, of October 19, 2026. The benefit is valid from 12pm on October 23rd to 12pm on October 26th.

Despite the measure, the Electoral MP identified news and publications made between October 22nd and 24th with reports of difficulties in using free transport. Reports included problems with issuing tickets, refusal of free tickets, lack of vehicles and vessels and lack of information at the Belém and Ananindeua terminals. They also mentioned trips to Abaetetuba, Ponta de Pedras, Vigia and Igarapé-Miri.

Some publications highlighted closed van counters, refusal of e-Título and limitation of the number of free tickets. The companies Arapari and Jarumã were mentioned by name in publications about refusal of the benefit. Banav and Henvil were named, in a communication sent to the Electoral MP, as operators of the crossing between Icoaraci and Camará, in Marajó.

In the action, the Public Electoral Ministry argued that the objective is to guarantee the movement of voters to the municipalities where they vote. “The right to vote requires material conditions for exercise,” states the action.

When analyzing the request, the rapporteur considered that the elements presented by the MPE, “although still subject to confirmation, indicate possible difficulties in accessing the benefit”. According to the judge, the proximity of the vote increases the risk of harm to voters. “Possible obstacles to transportation may prevent voters from traveling to the municipalities in which they are registered, compromising the exercise of their right to vote.”

It was determined for the State of Pará and Artran to inform, within four hours, the travel schedule, the operating companies, the capacity offered and how the free tickets are issued. Artran, specifically, is responsible for immediately inspecting the services free of charge and presenting reports on the operation of the counters.

The companies Arapari, Jarumã, Banav and Henvil were ordered to inform how they grant free travel and schedule travel. For all transport companies mentioned in the action, the Court determined to immediately guarantee free transport, without quotas, charges or restrictions not based on the rules.