Flávio Bolsonaro spreads false claims about voting machines to ambassadors

Senator Flávio Bolsonaro disseminated false information regarding Brazil's electronic voting system during an event with diplomats and ambassadors in Brasília. The incident mirrors a similar episode involving his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently detained following convictions related to a coup plot.

Addressing the international audience, Flávio Bolsonaro falsely claimed that Brazil's electronic voting machines share the same origin as those used by the Venezuelan company Smartmatic. He referenced a CIA report released the previous week, which alleged Smartmatic's involvement in a Venezuelan government fraud scheme during the 2012 elections, aiming to alter votes through machine programming. Bolsonaro urged the diplomats to send as many foreign observers as possible to the 2026 elections.

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Just a few days ago, coincidentally, there is a denunciation by the American government of suspected fraud in electronic electoral processes, especially in Venezuela. [...] Many of these machines used in Brazilian elections are from the same... They have the same origin as this Venezuelan company.

"Just a few days ago, coincidentally, there is a denunciation by the American government of suspected fraud in electronic electoral processes, especially in Venezuela. [...] Many of these machines used in Brazilian elections are from the same... They have the same origin as this Venezuelan company," Flávio stated. He added, "The request I make to all of you here, I am not questioning the Brazilian voting system, but that all countries can send the largest number of observers possible to our elections, as they always do, and also people who have knowledge about this technology and [about] how Brazil can provide more secure and transparent elections."

Flávio Bolsonaro participated in a series of events with presidential hopefuls organized by the communication consultancy Novo Selo Comunicação. The report from Folha de S.Paulo previously debunked rumors concerning Smartmatic in 2020. Electoral justice has clarified that the Venezuelan company never sold voting machines or software to Brazil, although it did provide services such as technical training. The Superior Electoral Court (TSE) stated that Smartmatic had contracts with the TSE on other occasions solely for data and voice connection services, not for the development or operation of electronic voting machines. Furthermore, the company lost a bid to manufacture electronic voting machines for 2020 to Positivo.

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The request I make to all of you here, I am not questioning the Brazilian voting system, but that all countries can send the largest number of observers possible to our elections, as they always do, and also people who have knowledge about this technology and [about] how Brazil can provide more secure and transparent elections.