Every four years in Brazil, on a Sunday in October, an event has been repeated: Brazilians go to the polls to choose new heads for the executive power of their municipalities. Just like voting for president, governor and deputies, electing a mayor for a four-year term is something extreme importance and, at the same time, responsibility on the part of each voter, as the future of the city will be in the hands of those win.
Thus, it is worth reflecting a little on the attributions and functions of the political figure of the mayor. The development of public policies for health, education, housing, among other factors relevant to the well-being and quality of life of municipalities are among its actions. As a representative of the executive power, the mayor is the one who heads the city's administration, undertaking the management of the thing. public, from the control of the treasury to the planning and execution of works, whether in terms of civil construction or the area Social. Therefore, it may seem redundant, but it is necessary to emphasize the idea that the executive branch is in fact the one who executes, puts into practice a set of government intentions, carries out a certain work, project, program or policy public. In addition, it is up to the mayor not only to sanction the laws passed in a vote by the chamber, but also to veto and draft bills when deemed necessary.
However, the mayor does not govern alone, and therefore depends on political support from the city council, as well as from other governmental spheres, that is, the state and federal government. The help of these last two is given through transfers of funds, agreements and assistance of all kinds for the execution of works and implementation of social programs, which, especially in the case of small town halls, become essential to meet the demands locations.
As for the electoral process, unlike the elections for councilor, those who run for mayor are classified by the TSE (Superior Electoral Court) as a majority candidate, that is, for victory at the polls, he must obtain an absolute majority of wishes. According to the TSE, if the municipality has more than 200,000 voters, the election decision may come in two rounds. Thus, to be elected in the first round, it is necessary to reach an absolute majority of valid votes, that is, more than 50% in the first election. If in the first round no candidate reaches this minimum vote limit, the second round is held turn of the election between the two most voted candidates, when whoever has the majority of the wishes. In the event of a second round, candidates who have already been defeated may or may not express support for one of the candidates who is still in the election, a fact that can certainly influence the electorate, thus becoming a decisive factor in many elections. Also according to TSE data, in 2012, there is the possibility of a second round in 83 cities, with 15,588 candidates for mayor competing for 5,568 vacancies.
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Thus, given the importance of the figure of the municipal mayor as the head of the executive power, the conscious vote as a direct result of the evaluation of candidates and coalitions is a very important weapon in confronting corruption, disarray, poorly done things and the lack of administrative capacity, so harmful to the good of the collectivity. Thus, voting without conscience is equivalent, in a football game, to kicking for the goal without worrying about basic issues such as the direction of the ball and the strength of the kick. In many cases, worse than kicking out, is scoring an own goal.
Paulo Silvino Ribeiro
Brazil School Collaborator
Bachelor in Social Sciences from UNICAMP - State University of Campinas
Master in Sociology from UNESP - São Paulo State University "Júlio de Mesquita Filho"
Doctoral Student in Sociology at UNICAMP - State University of Campinas
