Chamber approves main text of mini-electoral reform

Sabrina Craide
Reporter from Agência Brasil

Brasilia - The Chamber of Deputies today (16) approved the main text of the bill dealing with the mini-electoral reform (PL 6397/13), by 222 votes in favor, 161 against and 1 abstention. The proposal limits advertising on private property, prohibiting signs, easels and car wraps, and sets a ceiling for spending on food and vehicle rental in campaigns. The analysis of the mini-reform was scheduled for yesterday (15), but was postponed to this Wednesday.

The rapporteur for the matter, Eduardo Cunha (PMDB-RJ), emphasized that no items were added to the text approved by the Senate, only removed. "Voting on this is not ideal, but not voting on it forces parliamentarians to spend heavily on campaigns and allows absurdities to continue, such as billboards in the streets and campaign workers," said Cunha.

Congresswoman Manuela D'Ávila (PCdoB-RS) criticized the proposal, which, according to her, will increase campaign costs because campaign workers will now be paid. She believes the text will prohibit people from putting up posters with their candidates' names in their homes. "This is just another cosmetic way to reduce campaign costs," she said.

Representative Henrique Fontana (PT-RS) criticized the fact that the proposal does not set a limit on campaign spending.

The deputies will now vote on the amendments to the main text of the bill. Also scheduled for today is the vote on the bill from the Executive Branch that changes the index used to adjust the debts of states and municipalities with the Union (PLP 238/13).

Edited by: Juliana Andrade