Lula and Bolsonaro spar in BrazilâÂÂs fiery first presidential run-off debate
Both candidates for the Brazilian presidency have called for the disqualification of their rivals over allegations of social media interference, ramping up political drama ahead of the close-fought October 25 runoff election.
BrazilâÂÂs right-wing presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro has requested the annulment of the candidacy of his rival, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, over what he called unlawful propaganda.
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Lawyers for Bolsonaro filed a request with the Superior Electoral Court on Tuesday, alleging LulaâÂÂs âÂÂabuse of powerâ in the mass dissemination of government postings during the campaign period via WhatsApp.
BolsonaroâÂÂs camp claimed the Brazilian government sent mass messages to millions of Brazilians via the messaging service, promoting social programmes, benefits and government initiatives in the midst of the presidential race, Brazilian media reported.
The request to the electoral court seeks to declare Lula and Social Communications Minister Sidonio Palmeira ineligible to hold public office for a period of eight years.
âÂÂAlgorithmic manipulationâÂÂ
In the other camp, LulaâÂÂs campaign said on Tuesday that it would request the disqualification of Bolsonaro on Wednesday over alleged election interference by WhatsApp parent company, the tech giant Meta.
LulaâÂÂs petition, which has yet to be officially filed, alleges âÂÂalgorithmic manipulationâ by Meta aimed at harming LulaâÂÂs chances of winning, a campaign source told AFP.
The electoral court had given Meta 24 hours on Monday to prove it was complying with an order to treat both campaigns equally, threatening a daily fine of around $200,000 if it didnâÂÂt.
The order came after LulaâÂÂs campaign alleged that Meta, which owns Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, was suppressing his online content to boost Bolsonaro.
âÂÂWe have completed the implementation of the measures to comply with the Superior Electoral CourtâÂÂs decision,â the company said on Tuesday.
Lula and Bolsonaro are locked in a heated presidential race after the right-wing candidate, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, won the initial round of voting earlier this month with 47 percent of the vote to the incumbentâÂÂs 45 percent.
Polls show a very close race ahead of SundayâÂÂs runoff round.