Brazil’s Chamber Bans Deputies’ Remote Voting From Abroad After Ramagem Case

Overview

• The Chamber’s Secretariat-General (SGM) issued an opinion declaring that lawmakers cannot exercise their mandate outside Brazil’s territory.
• Hugo Motta adopted the opinion and ordered the Infoleg system to block presence registration and votes originating from abroad unless the deputy is on an authorized official mission.
• The rule applies to all session formats, and medical leave does not permit deliberative acts from outside the country, with the SGM noting even the Chamber president cannot perform such acts while abroad.
• Alexandre Ramagem, who traveled to the United States after an STF conviction, is now barred from voting or registering presence as his conviction is final and he is considered a fugitive; Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered the Board to strip his mandate because his sentence exceeds four years.
• The interpretation clears a path for administrative penalties for deputies who remain overseas or breach attendance rules, with reporting noting potential cassation for Eduardo Bolsonaro due to excessive absences.