The representative for the diaspora of presidential candidate António José Seguro reported this Tuesday, February 3, to the National Elections Commission (CNE) the “improper transport of voters, with the offer of food”, by a company, to vote in Paris.
Paulo Pisco, former socialist deputy elected by the European circle, reported to the CNE the “disclosure on social media and various communication channels of the publicity for free transport for voters to vote at the consulate in Paris” in the second round of the presidential elections on February 8.
“The promoters of the initiative are well identified, under the name La Lusitanie – Rotisserie – Épicerie, in the town of Créil, north of Paris”, can be read in the complaint to which the Lusa agency had access.
Paulo Pisco highlighted that the advertisement “advertises the availability of free seats on buses, and bookings can be made using a telephone number provided for this purpose, which is the same as that of the company La Lusitanie”, including a poster and publication on a La Lusitane social network in the report.
In addition to the transport offer, “food items (snacks) are also available before or after voting”, he added.
On the poster, you can read that a free bus to Paris is available on February 8th and snacks are offered.
António José Seguro’s representative for the diaspora highlighted that the general rule “is that the voter travels to the polling station by autonomous means” and that “only in very exceptional situations, special public transport can be organized to ensure voters’ access to the locations of polling stations and polling stations”.
“Such conduct is likely to be considered a clear deviation from electoral rules and appears to have the objective of conditioning the will of voters and the way they vote, violating the principle of freedom of suffrage and equal opportunities between candidates”, he stressed.
Paulo Pisco also highlighted that “the violation of electoral laws is very explicit” in article 143 of the Electoral Law for the President of the Republic and in article 341 of the Penal Code, and that “both articles provide for heavy pecuniary and prison penalties”.
António José Seguro’s representative asked the CNE, given “the seriousness of the facts”, to “adopt the necessary measures to immediately cease the conduct as well as determine responsibilities regarding the offenders”.
Citizens elect the next President of the Republic in a second round after António José Seguro obtained 31.11% (1,755,563 votes) and André Ventura 23.52% (1,327,021 votes) in the first round.
Voting takes place on February 8, with early voting taking place on Sunday.
The winner of the second vote will succeed Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, elected in 2016 and who ends his second term in March.
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