Minister of the Federal Supreme Court (STF) Luis Roberto Barroso decided on Tuesday (18) that city halls and bus companies will be able to offer free public transport in the second round of elections on the 30th.

The decision was made based on the Sustainability Network action – Photo: Marcelo Martins/Bloomenau City Hall/ND

According to the minister’s decision, mayors who take this measure cannot be held accountable for administrative offenses or electoral crimes.

The decision was made based on a lawsuit filed by the Sustainability Network. At the request of the party in the first round, the minister also determined that public transport should be maintained at a normal level and that the municipalities, which already offered free transport in previous elections, should maintain this measure.

In order to demand universal remuneration, the Network argued that voting in Brazil is mandatory, but many voters cannot afford a ticket to the polling station, which is in many cases more expensive than a no-show fine, which has a maximum amount of 3.51 reais. This measure also aims to avoid high rates of voter abstention on Election Day.