International bodies warn about political violence ahead of Brazil’s election

With six weeks to go until the most polarized elections in Brazil’s recent history, organizations and authorities are making moves to prevent episodes of political violence from disrupting the vote.

There is reason for sounding the alarm. In the first six months of the year, Brazil witnessed a 32-percent increase in cases of political violence. These 214 logged cases involve 40 murders. And the issue is not restricted to one region — all Brazilian states recorded at least one case of political violence, with the exception of Amapá, in the North.

In July, a pro-Bolsonaro police officer killed a Workers’ Party treasurer during his Lula-themed birthday party. Workers’ Party rallies have also been attacked by drones dropping feces and urine on participants.

Furthermore, security forces and international organizations are especially concerned about Brazil’s upcoming independence bicentennial on September 7. As he did last year, President Jair Bolsonaro has called on his supporters to take to the streets and hold pro-government protests. 

The 2021 edition of these rallies came with clear putschist overtones and threats to storm the Supreme Court headquarters in Brasília.

As our Brazil Daily newsletter showed on Friday, poll workers fear attacks against voting stations on Election Day. Edson Borowski, a coordinator at justice system workers union Fenajufe, anticipates “extreme political violence”...