CNE says Bolheiro’s statements are not “unacceptably” outside the law

The National Electoral Commission (CNE) this Sunday considered that the statements of the President of the Azores Government, José Manuel Bolheiro, were not “unacceptably outside the scope of the law”, but warned the candidate to refrain from making such comments.

“The content of the answers, in the context of the persistence of the questions asked, does not exceed the limits permitted by law in an unacceptable manner, but the candidate is warned to refrain from making such comments until the polls close,” he reports on CNE’s examination of the PS/Açores complaint, to which Lusa had access .

Today, the PS/Açores party filed a complaint with the CNE against the regional government president, José Manuel Boleiro, candidate for the post from the PSD/CDU-PP/PPM coalition, alleging that the ban on propaganda was violated that day. regional elections.

The complaint sent to the CNE by the head of the PS/Açores electoral headquarters, Berto Messias, indicates a “violation of the ban on advertising on election day and within 500 meters of the polling station” and is based on the content of “Statements made live on several television channels” by José Manuel Bolheiro, head of the list of the district of San Miguel, after he exercised his right to vote.

The document quotes the candidate as saying that, when asked whether he had succeeded in the educational campaign, he said he had always tried to stay away from “attacking anyone.”

“However, here or there I had to respond to clarify and refute some of the situations that were raised during this exercise, but I believe that despite this, overall there was civility, there was good preparation for going home. “, in the debate, and finally in the civil clarification”, says José Manuel Boleiro, mentioned in the complaint, noting that he presented a “clarification program of management”.

When asked about the presence of a certain demobilization and lack of interest among the population in voting this Sunday, José Manuel Boleiro replied: “I am the President of the Government, I have never hidden my pride in the work done, and not just in the work done. a word about the future, but rather also a demonstration (…) of a curriculum of work and actions that I believe have benefited the people, the professions, the economy, the social sphere, as well as the strategic sense of development of the Azores,” said the Social Democrat .

However, according to the complaint to the CNE, the Social Democrat, among other statements, said that he would be with family and friends in the afternoon, but would still have time to have coffee with the national leader of the SDP. Luis Montenegro, which is located in the Azores.

“(…) Eventually I will even make a trip here to the island of San Miguel, to some parishes and check the progress of the turnout at the tables,” said José Manuel Boleiro.

As for whether he has always been confident of victory over the past few weeks and if he is more nervous today, the president of the regional government of the Azores said he hopes people will recognize his “work as a ruler in such a tense period.” when they were three years old.”

Today, approximately 230,000 voters are called upon to vote to elect 57 deputies to the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores. These are the first early regional elections in the history of the archipelago’s autonomy.

There are 10 electoral districts in the Azores, nine of which coincide with each of the islands (Flores, Corvo, São Jorge, Faial, Pico, Graciosa, Terceira, São Miguel and Santa Maria) and another compensating one (which combines the votes who did not allow elections of deputies in island circles).

Eleven candidates are vying for the Azores legislature: PSD/CDS-PP/PPM (the coalition that currently governs the region), ADN, CDU (PCP/PEV), PAN, Alternative 21 (MPT/Aliança), IL, Chega, B.E., P.S. , JPP and Livre.

The President of the Republic has decided to dissolve the Parliament of the Azores and call early elections for today after the announcement of this year’s budget.

Polling stations close at 19:00 local time (one hour later in Lisbon).