The deadline for the official registration of presidential candidates in Brazil ended last night, July 5, at 7 pm. However, there is an inevitable loophole in the law on the deadline for candidacies: the Federal Election Board (TSE) will permit registration until tomorrow, July 7.
As a result of this situation, there are now seven officially registered candidates for president of Brazil in this year’s general elections in October. And there is an eighth candidate trying to get the paperwork in order so as to get registered by Friday.
The paperwork which must be presented to the TSE so that a candidacy can become official includes a declaration of assets and an estimate of what the candidate intends to spend.
Here is a rundown on the seven official candidates:
Luciano Bivar, of the PSL, whose vice president candidate is Américo de Souza. They have declared that they will spend 60 million reais (US$ 30 million) in their campaign.
The PDT candidate is senator Cristovam Buarque, a contributor to Brazzil magazine. He is a former governor of the Federal District (Brasília) and minister of Education, whose vice president is senator Jefferson Peres. They declare they will spend 20 million reais (US$ 10 million).
The colligation "People Power" (A Força do Povo) (PT-PRB-PCdoB) will attempt to reelect President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and its vice president José Alencar. They have announced they will spend up to 89 million reais (US$ 45 million).
Another colligation "For a Decent Brazil" (Por um Brasil Decente) (PSDB-PFL) is running Geraldo Alckmin, the former governor of São Paulo, and senator José Jorge. They say they will spend up to 85 million reais (US$ 43 million).
The PCO registered the candidacy of Rui Pimenta for president and Pedro Paulo Pinheiro for vice president. They will spend up to 100,000 reais (US$ 50,000).
The PSDC is running José Maria Eymael for president and José Paulo Neto for vice president. They have declared they will spend up to 20 million reais (US$ 10 million).
Finally, senator Heloísa Helena (P-SOL) will be running for president with César Benjamin as her candidate for vice president. The ticket intends to spend up to 5 million reais (US$ 2.5 million).
Businesswoman, Ana Maria Rangel, whose candidacy for president of Brazil was confirmed at the convention of the PRP last week in São Paulo has until tomorrow, Friday, July 7, to register at the Federal Election Board (TSE).
It seems Ms Rangel has been unable to register at the TSE because of a problem with the necessary paperwork. Among the documents she has to present is a copy of the minutes of the PRP convention signed by its board of directors.
At least one director did not sign. Ms Rangel has accused the PRP president, Ovasco Resende, of extortion. She says she is determined to register her candidacy, whatever she has to do.
ABr