During a vote marked by conflicts, heated discussions and political pressure to know which position to adopt, 65 parliamentarians decided to release deputy Rodrigo Bacellar, during a plenary session this Monday at the Legislative Assembly of Rio (Alerj). There were 42 votes in favor and 21 against, with two abstentions. Four deputies did not attend the session, besides Bacellar himself. With the press further away than usual, the tense scenario was also marked by the absence of broadcast of the plenary vote on open television and by the absence of the voting panel.
- Voting result: By 42 votes to 21, Alerj deputies decide to release Rodrigo Bacellar
- Bacellar case: see how each parliamentarian voted
In the morning, the session of the Constitution and Justice Commission (CCJ), which defined the draft resolution, was broadcast live as usual, on Open TV and on TV Alerj’s YouTube. The vote in plenary, with all 65 deputies, was however only broadcast on the online channel.
Journalists’ access to the plenary was also limited. The press was only allowed to position themselves on the side opposite the entrance and exit of deputies, thus preventing dialogue with journalists. The situation attracted attention because, generally, professionals are allowed to move around the sides and back of the plenary.
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Another point that caused a sensation was the absence of the panel with the votes of parliamentarians, generally displayed on a screen, with the names of the deputies, the party and the vote. This time, there was no panel where each person voted. MP Dani Balbi, after the vote, asked that they be revealed.
According to Alerj, the House Rules establish that when it is done nominally (as it happened), it is not necessary to place it on the panel. This is only possible when voting is electronic.
In a statement, Alerj responded that “it ensured full transparency over the entire voting procedure carried out this Monday (12/08). The press had full access to the CCJ meeting, including live broadcast from inside the room, and to the plenary of the Chamber, where it was able to follow without any restrictions all the work of the deputies until the conclusion of the votes.”
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The memo also points out that the journalists were in the same space they usually occupy when covering the plenary.
According to the Assembly, both the CCJ and the session were broadcast on TV Alerj.
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