Kassio Nunes Marques, president of Brazil's Tribunal Superior Eleitoral (TSE), wants to broaden public debate and the right of response regarding electoral research.
This initiative aims to establish reliable parameters for polling to ensure that data is not used to manipulate voters or spread misinformation. By increasing transparency and allowing for formal responses to poll results, the TSE seeks to close gaps that could be exploited to induce specific voter behaviors.
Nunes Marques assumed the presidency of the TSE on June 12, 2024 [1]. During his inauguration, he emphasized the need to prioritize the debate and the right of response for all parties involved in the electoral process, Nunes Marques said.
The focus on electoral research, known as pesquisas eleitorais, comes amid ongoing concerns regarding the influence of data and digital communication on democratic outcomes. Nunes Marques said that the goal is to prevent the manipulation of research, ensuring it remains a tool for democracy rather than a weapon for deception.
Beyond polling, Nunes Marques addressed the role of technology in the electoral system. He said that the future of Brazilian democracy will not be outlined by machines.
This stance reflects a broader effort within the TSE to balance the use of electronic voting and data-driven campaigning with human oversight and legal accountability. The tribunal intends to set clear standards for how polls are conducted and reported to maintain the integrity of the electoral cycle.
“The future of our democracy will not be outlined by machines.”
The push for stricter parameters on electoral polling suggests a strategic shift toward mitigating the impact of 'strategic polling'—where data is released to create momentum or discourage voters. By strengthening the right of response, the TSE is attempting to neutralize the ability of a single poll to dominate the narrative without challenge, thereby reducing the volatility of voter perception in the lead-up to elections.
