Over 200 arrested for violations at Brazilian presidential election

Brazil's authorities detained over 232 people for law violations at the country's presidential election on Sunday, the president of the Supreme Electoral Court (TSE) said. "Most violations were attempts to campaign at polling stations, which is prohibited by law on the day of election," Ricardo Lewandowski told journalists. The ruling Workers Party's candidate Dilma Rousseff was elected Brazil's president, with 99.21% of the vote counted in Sunday's election runoff. Rousseff, who enjoys full support of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, gained the backing of 55.99% of voters and became the country's first female president. She will take office January 1. Opposition candidate Jose Serra received some 44%. Outgoing President Lula da Silva was first elected as Brazil's president in 2002 and then reelected in 2006. Under the Brazilian Constitution, the country's president is elected for a four-year term, with a limit of two terms.

ePaper - Nawaiwaqt