Voters can wear party flags, pins and stickers on election day, says TSE

What you can't do is crowd around with party T-shirts, vote-rigging, hand out gifts and T-shirts, etc. Check out what you can and can't do on election day.

The elections are approaching and it is essential that all voters know the rules established by the Electoral Court. The Superior Electoral Court (TSE) allows political and ideological convictions to be expressed individually and silently, in support of candidates and parties, on election days (1st round, on October 6 and, in a possible 2nd round, on October 27), but there are important restrictions that must be respected.

In this article, we explain everything you, the voter, need to know about what you can and cannot do to exercise your right to vote consciously and within the law.

What is allowed on election day?

On polling days, you can express your political preference individually and silently, using the following items.

• T-shirts, brooches and stickers with the name or logo of the candidate or party.

• Flags with the colors or symbols of the party or candidate.

These demonstrations, however, must be individual, i.e. without the formation of agglomerations or coordinated actions.

What is prohibited on election day?

There are several practices that are strictly forbidden in order to avoid any kind of pressure on voters and to guarantee order in the electoral process:

1. Canvassing: It is not allowed to approach or try to persuade other voters while they are going to vote.

2. Crowds: There must be no groups of people dressed in a standardized way or using campaign materials that suggest a collective demonstration.

3. Use of loudspeakers or sound cars: This equipment, as well as rallies, marches and car rallies, are prohibited on election day.

4. Distribution of gifts and campaign materials: It is not permitted to distribute T-shirts, caps, stickers or any other gifts.

5. Electronic devices in the voting booth: Voters may not bring cell phones, cameras or camcorders into the voting booth. These devices must be left with the poll worker before voting.

6. Voter transportation: Candidates and parties are prohibited from offering transportation to voters on polling day. Only vehicles authorized by the Electoral Court, regular public transport lines or the use of their own vehicles with no electoral purpose are allowed.

Electoral crimes and their penalties

In addition to the prohibitions, the Electoral Code provides for a series of crimes that can be committed on election day. The main ones include

• Coercing someone to vote or not to vote: Using violence or serious threat to influence the vote of a person.

• Fraudulent voting: Voting more than once or in place of someone else is a serious offense.

• Propaganda on election day: Carrying out any kind of active propaganda, whether with loudspeakers, pamphlets or word of mouth, is a crime.

• Irregular transportation of voters: Offering free transportation to voters is illegal, except in vehicles authorized by the Electoral Court.

• Disrespecting the secrecy of the vote: Violating or attempting to violate the secrecy of another person's vote is a serious crime.

  The penalties for these crimes range from fines to imprisonment, depending on the seriousness of the act.

  
  

  There are only 5 days left until the first round! So get ready to do your part consciously and responsibly!

  
  

  By knowing and exercising your rights and duties as a voter, you are helping to strengthen our democracy.

  
  

  For more information, visit the website of the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) or consult our office for questions on electoral legal issues.