Salvador changes its face with the election campaign.

Bahia 247

Salvador, known for its natural beauty and traditional tourist attractions such as the Barra Lighthouse, Lacerda Elevator, and Pelourinho, loses some of its charm during election season. The city changes its face: the charms disappear, replaced by signs, flags, campaign posters with candidates' numbers, and the traditional campaign flyers. The walls lose their color, and the city literally takes on the face of the politicians.

The sound trucks promoting the names of candidates for city council, mayor, and vice-mayor have left some residents of the region dissatisfied with the situation. However, for many unemployed people, election campaigns are seen as an alternative source of extra income.

While candidates begin their strategies to win over voters, the campaign is starting to cause discomfort for Salvador residents due to visual pollution. Businessman Fábio Magalhães, who lives near the Convention Center in the Stiep neighborhood, emphasized that since election campaigning was permitted, the coastal neighborhoods have been suffering from visual and noise pollution.

For him, the city, which already looks dirty every day, gets even worse during this period. Meanwhile, businessman Paulo dos Santos, 37, a resident of the Jardim de Alah neighborhood, pointed out that there should be a law allowing electioneering only in media outlets.

On Avenida Paralela, a region notorious for visual pollution during election season, several signs have been placed on the grass near the Regional Labor Court (TRE). On Avenida Bonocô, in Pituba, and along the coast, candidates are using the walls of houses, commercial establishments, and residential buildings to promote their campaigns.

With information from Tribuna da Bahia.

While some complain about the excessive amount of campaign advertising on the streets, others make money by contributing to the campaigns. Those who passed through the Jardim de Aláh neighborhood yesterday could see several people carrying candidates' flags.

"I was unemployed and received an offer to earn R$ 20,00 per day working promoting a city councilor, so I decided to accept," argued Edivânia Souza, 25. Many people also took advantage of the sunny Sunday to walk, cycle, or stroll with their children along Salvador's waterfront.

Prohibition - During campaigns, advertising on billboards, campaign rallies or events is prohibited, as is the distribution of gifts, t-shirts, keychains, caps, pens, basic food baskets or other goods or materials that may provide benefit to the candidate.

Anyone who disregards these prohibitions may be prosecuted for vote buying, use of prohibited propaganda, and, if applicable, abuse of power. Any type of electoral propaganda is also prohibited on public property; property for common use, such as lampposts, traffic signs, overpasses, pedestrian bridges, bridges, and bus stops.