The Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro (Alerj) defended before the Supreme Federal Court (STF) the validity of the vote that elected deputy Douglas Ruas (PL) as president of the House. The statement was sent this Tuesday (5) to Minister Luiz Fux, rapporteur of the action presented by the PDT that seeks to annul the result.
In the document, the Rio de Janeiro State Legislative Assembly (Alerj) asks the Supreme Federal Court (STF) to uphold the election held on April 17, 2026, conducted by open ballot, and reject the attempt to force a new election with secret ballot. The Assembly also argues that Ruas's election should be recognized as legitimate, including for purposes of the state government's line of succession.
The PDT's legal action questions three main points: the validity of open voting in the election of the Board of Directors, the annulment of the vote already held, and the calling of a new election with secret ballot. The party argues that there were flaws in the process, including the lack of proper formalization of the change in the internal regulations and a short deadline for holding the election.
According to the caption, the recent political context of the Rio de Janeiro State Legislative Assembly (Alerj), marked by instability and allegations involving the previous administration, would require greater protection for the free exercise of the duties of the deputies. For the PDT (Democratic Labour Party), open voting could expose parliamentarians to internal and external pressures.
In its response to the Supreme Federal Court (STF), the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro (Alerj) refutes these arguments and states that the case should not even be analyzed by the Court. The Assembly maintains that the PDT (Democratic Labour Party) has already tried to annul the election in the Rio de Janeiro courts on three occasions, without success, and that it would not be appropriate to bring the same issue to the Supreme Court as a new attempt.
Another central point of the defense is the autonomy of the Legislative Branch. The Alerj (Rio de Janeiro State Legislative Assembly) affirms that the decision regarding the format of internal votes—whether open or secret—is a matter for the Assembly itself and should not be subject to judicial interference, except in exceptional situations, which, according to the document, did not occur.
The Assembly also highlights that the voting model in Brazil has evolved in recent years to prioritize transparency. According to the statement, changes to the Federal Constitution have reinforced open voting as the rule, making secrecy an exception. In this context, the Alerj (Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro) argues that elections by nominal vote are aligned with this principle and allow for greater societal control over the actions of parliamentarians.
The document also states that there was no direct violation of the Constitution and that the PDT's questioning represents only a political disagreement about the format adopted in the election. In conclusion, the Alerj (Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro) asks the STF (Supreme Federal Court) to reject the action and uphold the result that led to Douglas Ruas becoming president. The Assembly also emphasizes that the definition of the Board of Directors contributes to institutional stability and the regularity of the line of succession in the state Executive branch, in cases of absence of the governor and the vice-governor.
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