Parents take children to polling stations to teach democracy

Voting is optional from the age of 16 and compulsory for Brazilians aged 18 to 70. But a much younger audience went to the electoral sections in the second round of elections. They are children carried by mothers, fathers and guardians to see how democracy works in practice and in the ballot box.

The publicist Polyana Carla Alves Ázara and the internationalist Luísa Malagoli took the son and the family dog to the Ensino Médio Center Paulo Freire, in the North Wing, in Brasilia. Everyone witnessed the moment of choice of the president who will govern Brazil from 2027 to 2030.

Coming from Goiânia four years ago, Polyana Carla voted for the first time in the federal capital. And she wanted her son to be a part of that moment.

“He participates in this is very important. I think of the future in which he may one day think, ‘I participated, I was in this moment of future for me and for Brazil.’ Our son is part of that democracy, which has to be positive for his future.”

Polyana Carla advocates that rulers think about policies that extrapolate the period of each term.

“We have to think about the future of the next generations and not just the now. The work of any ruler has to be thought of in the long run.”

Her companion, Luísa, says she transmits to her son the legacy received from her parents and sees as necessary the fact that the son understands the duty of exercising the vow.

“This is one of the most important moments in our lives as a citizen. We cannot fail to act for our future. There is no point in complaining if we don’t do it.”

For this reason, far beyond the voting days, Luísa Malagoli emphasizes the need for the people to charge actions of rulers and legislators as councilors, district and state deputies for the common good.

Rights of girls and women

With the E-title on her cell phone and a daughter in each hand, personal department analyst Elizabete Queiroz Gomes brought her daughters Emanuelle, 10, and Luna, 9, to accompany her in the vote.

“It is very important, from an early age, that we teach our children, our younger brothers, all of them, about the importance of having our right to vote and how the whole process works.

After voting in Varjão, 13 kilometers from the center of Brasilia, Elizabete declares that her choice is fully conscious for a better future for her daughters.

“I am a woman. Voting has a huge weight for us Brazilian women, since this achievement has not been achieved for so long.”

Her reference is to the women's vote in Brazil, instituted only in 1932.

Next Generations

At the same public school, Siomara Chao, 59, took his grandson Iyaz, 4, for patriotism, even though the boy still did not understand the consequences of the choices made in the voting booth.

“Iyaz already sings the National Anthem at his school, which also teaches patriotism. What I think is superstitious.”

Alongside her husband, the mechanic Pliny de La Pena, 72, Siomara justifies that her options in the polls were by candidates who could guarantee the future of the four children and the 12 grandchildren.

“To come here on Sunday is to exercise our citizenship. To make a change, a future progress for our grandchildren, for our children. Something better.”

Security

Archangel Miguel Mota da Silva, 7, does not know yet why he accompanied his father, Nilsemar Ferreira da Silva, to the polling place.

Even so, the father believes that his son is already benefiting from the vote he has entered.

“It’s important for him to start understanding what politics is about.”

“I want a better country. I want to be able to leave the house without fear of anything, to have security. And I also prioritize education for children.”