Brazil election: Lula seeks Flávio Bolsonaro’s disqualification over Meta interference
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on MyJoyOnline
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s campaign is seeking Flávio Bolsonaro’s disqualification, accusing him of benefiting from Meta interference in the distribution of election content. The right-wing candidate has filed a similar petition against Lula, while UN experts are calling for fair treatment of candidates on the platforms, according to the United Nations.
The campaign of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Wednesday requested the disqualification of Flávio Bolsonaro, his right-wing opponent in the second round of the presidential election, over alleged interference by Meta, the owner of WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook. It accuses the US group of limiting the distribution of its content to favour Bolsonaro’s campaign, in a petition filed before the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), according to MyJoyOnline.
The petition also targets Alfredo Gaspar, the vice-presidential candidate alongside Flávio Bolsonaro, and calls for an investigation into abuse of economic power and improper use of social networks. The Bolsonaro campaign filed a counter-petition seeking Lula’s disqualification, accusing him of massively distributing government posts on WhatsApp. Meta denies favouring either candidate and says it will comply with a court decision requiring equal treatment of the campaigns, according to MyJoyOnline.
United Nations experts said they were concerned by reported differences in the two teams’ access to Meta’s platforms. Their report mentions temporary interruptions to a campaign account, disparities in audience, visibility and reach, as well as restrictions targeting Instagram posts. The second round is due to take place on Sunday, after Flávio Bolsonaro’s victory in the first round on 4 October, with an insufficient lead to secure an absolute majority, according to MyJoyOnline.
Lula’s petition follows the publication on 21 October of the [mutual petitions between Lula and Bolsonaro](/news/presidentielle-au-bresil-lula-et-bolsonaro-lancent-des-recours-mut uels). The election pits the two candidates against each other in the second round, after polls showing Flávio Bolsonaro slightly ahead were published on 22 October.
