Roberto Carlos is running for a seat in the Alagoas State Legislative Assembly.

Alagoas247 - Jhôw the Superman, Shakti Sampaio, Pigeon Breast, Jarrão, Tiririka of Alagoas, Fonho, Little Pig, Lollipop Clown, Brama of Forró, Tetelpontocom and Ureia-lá. What seems to refer to characters from comic books or cartoons is, in fact, a serious matter: the 2014 elections. It is with sobriety and, at the same time, a touch of good humor, that many candidates for the positions of federal and state deputies of Alagoas hope to attract voters by using unconventional names.

Across the country, it's possible to become a candidate using nicknames and other names created to attract public attention. This is because the Electoral Court doesn't impose restrictions in this regard. The intention, most of the time, is to win over undecided voters, who may be drawn in by the irreverence, even if it's only present in the name that will appear on the electronic ballot next October.

According to political scientist Ranulfo Paranhos, the goal of election campaigns is to reproduce, as naturally as possible, the reality of candidates for public office so that they can be brought closer to voters. He believes that the strategy of using fictitious names is a way to achieve this goal.

"What political campaigns try to do is make the candidate as natural as possible so that the voter tends to identify with him. The use of this strategy follows this line of making him an ordinary person. The image is sold as the people know him or as it is easiest to memorize, to attract attention," says Ranulfo Paranhos.

From the stage to the ballot box.

Running for office for the second time, João Honorato da Silva (PPS) is trying to fill one of the 27 seats for state representative in Alagoas, but not under that name. Known in the Alagoas capital for his work as a Roberto Carlos impersonator, it is the King's name that he will be using on the ballot.

The idea of ​​running for office came, in fact, from the impersonator's fans. After much insistence, he accepted the challenge once again and decided to register as a candidate for this year's elections. In 2012, in an attempt to become a council member in the Maceió City Council, Roberto Carlos received 500 votes.

"Nobody knows me by my name, not even my neighbors. I am Roberto Carlos and I couldn't be called anything else on the ballot. It was the people who like my work who encouraged me to run for office, and I believe that my profession as a cover artist can attract many people who don't have a candidate option," said João Honorato, who has worked professionally as an impersonator of the artist for ten years.

Known for working in stores in downtown Maceió, Roberto Carlos, now 60 years old, says he has performed at birthdays, weddings, parties, and even funerals. If elected, he promises to work honestly to improve the lives of the population.

"I don't have that inclination to be a politician, but the people who know me, who celebrate when they see me working, insisted and I accepted. I have a clean record and everything I do is with honesty and responsibility. If elected, I will continue like this," he stated.

From the municipality of Rio Largo, another candidate for state representative promises to attract voters' attention with the name he will use on the ballot. Denivaldo Simões Gaudêncio (PHS) decided to enhance his childhood nickname in order to attract more votes. From Tetel, he changed it to Tetelpontocom.

Running for office for the first time, Denivaldo emphasizes that the change was made to better reflect his profession in the city where he lives. In his opinion, this alteration makes it easier for voters to recognize him.

"Tetel's nickname has been around for a long time, since childhood. I added '.com' because I work with media, with the internet, and I thought that 'high-tech' vibe would be cool," emphasized the candidate, who has completed high school and is part of the "Nobody is strong alone" coalition.

TV program

Voters will be able to get to know most of the candidates who use nicknames starting at the end of August, when the free electoral program on TV begins. According to Ranulfo Paranhos, the somewhat unusual names may capture the attention of viewers, which does not necessarily mean that such behavior will translate into votes.

"Some voters are drawn to the quality of the election program, which is becoming increasingly professional, with very clean images. But there are also many people who are glued to the TV because of the bizarre situations. In any case, the unusual situations give a certain dynamism to the process, holding the voter's attention at that moment, which does not mean that this attention will translate into votes."

The list of all candidates for the 2014 elections can be found on the Divulgacand2014 page, provided by the Superior Electoral Court (TSE).