Lula Accuses Brazil Election Court of Bias Before Runoff
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva accused Brazil's electoral court of biased decisions on 11 October, shortly before joining a democracy march on Avenida Paulista. His criticism came after a court order suspended a pro-Lula WhatsApp channel. Lula is set to face Flávio Bolsonaro in the 25 October runoff.
The TSE, Brazil's election court, oversees the vote. Its president, Kassio Nunes Marques, is a Supreme Court justice appointed in 2020 by former president Jair Bolsonaro. The suspended WhatsApp channel, "Exército do Lula," was created by federal deputy André Janones and had about 3.3 million followers, Poder360 reported. Later Sunday, inspector-general Ricardo Villas Bôas Cueva reversed the suspension.
Before the Avenida Paulista march, Lula said his lawyers would seek an explanation from the court president. He added that his Workers' Party would go to court that day over social-media reach. It was unconfirmed by evening whether the petition was filed. He faces Flávio Bolsonaro in the 25 October runoff.
The dispute may deepen public doubts about electoral institutions in a polarized runoff, potentially affecting voters who rely on WhatsApp for political information. Supporters of both candidates could see court actions as uneven, while businesses and investors may watch for instability. Because the suspension was reversed, immediate effects could be limited, but continued clashes may shape trust in the 25 October result and post-election climate.