Brazil’s House set to bury Bolsonaro’s drive for paper ballots

After being rejected by a special committee last week, a proposal seeking to implement a paper ballot system in Brazil as early as next year now awaits a vote in the House. By forcing a floor vote tomorrow, House Speaker Arthur Lira hopes to end debate on the issue by producing an “unquestionable decision.”

However, there are concerns over the legality of such a maneuver by Mr. Lira, as well as over Mr. Bolsonaro’s reaction if the bill is finally rejected. As reported by The Brazilian Report last week, Mr. Bolsonaro has spent substantial political energy to discredit Brazil’s electronic voting system in anticipation of the 2022 presidential election. 

Mr. Lira’s decision is legally anchored in a 1991 institutional reform that removed the power of special committees to make final decisions regarding bills. As deputies signal that the paper ballot proposal will be rejected once again on the floor, Mr. Bolsonaro will need to respect Congress’ decision.

Yet, he is unlikely to do so and tension between branches...