The Regional Electoral Court of Rio Grande do Norte (TRE-RN) requested federal security forces from the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) to act in the city of Doutor Severiano in the 2026 elections. The request comes due to the murder of the mayor's brother, who was also the municipal secretary of Agriculture, which occurred last Sunday (20), during a rally.
The request was made by the president of TRE-RN, judge Martha Danyelle Sant’Anna Costa Barbosa, on September 21st, and endorsed by the Regional Plenary in a plenary session this Tuesday (22nd).
The process will be submitted to the TSE for consideration, as provided for in electoral legislation. Therefore, only after the TSE's decision will it be decided whether the federal force will be sent to the city or not.
The request for federal force is an exceptional measure designed to ensure the free exercise of voting and the normality of voting and counting activities. The measure is based on article 1 of TSE Resolution No. 21,843/2004, which requires the existence of facts and circumstances capable of demonstrating fear of disruption to electoral work.
The presidency of TRE-RN pointed out that the case in Doutor Severiano is relevant to the Electoral Court due to the circumstances in which it occurred: during a political mobilization; using a firearm; in a place where people gather; and on the eve of the first round of elections.
A military police officer was arrested the following day on suspicion of committing the crime. The TRE also emphasizes that the request does not establish a link between the crime and any candidacy, nor does it anticipate conclusions about the motivation for the homicide. "The investigation of these aspects remains the responsibility of the criminal authorities", informed the TRE.
According to the Court, however, from an electoral perspective, the occurrence of armed violence in an environment of political mobilization can generate insecurity and affect the freedom of participation of voters, candidates, supporters and employees of the Electoral Court.
If the request is approved by the Superior Electoral Court, the federal force must act in a complementary manner to the state public security forces that already work in the municipality. According to the TRE, the request "does not result from any demonstration of incapacity or inertia on the part of state bodies", but seeks to join efforts and reinforce the security conditions necessary to preserve democratic normality.
In early September, the TRE had requested federal forces for nine other cities in the state. The first round of the 2026 elections takes place on October 4th.
Wilson Flávio Leite Gonçalves, Secretary of Agriculture and brother of the mayor of Doutor Severiano (RN), Maria de Fátima (PSD), was shot dead during a political rally on Sunday night (20) in the city, which is in the Upper West Region of Rio Grande do Norte. The victim was 56 years old.
A military police officer was arrested on Monday suspected of the crime. According to the Military Police, the suspect of committing the crime wore a Spider-Man mask, so as not to have his face identified, and fled immediately after the shots were fired.
The case took place in a location known as Vila Nogueira, in the rural area of the city. According to the Civil Police, at least three shots hit the victim. The victim, Wilson Flávio, was rescued and taken to the Regional Hospital of Pau dos Ferros, a city about 60 km away, but he succumbed to his injuries and died. At the place where the secretary was shot, agents collected four cases of .380 caliber ammunition.
In a statement, the town hall of Doutor Severiano lamented the death of the manager and expressed solidarity with the family. "A man of dedication, commitment and love for public service, Wilson leaves a legacy of work, friendship and contribution to the development of our municipality", cited the note.
