TRE-BA orders arrest of secretary after buses were detained on election day in Salvador

The Regional Electoral Court of Bahia (TRE-BA) detains the municipal secretary of Mobility of Salvador, Pablo Souza, after complaints of bus retention during the second round of the presidential elections, on Sunday (25). The decision also determines the immediate re-establishment of the entire collective transport fleet of the Bahian capital, under penalty of a fine of R$ 1 million per hour of non-compliance.

The decision was signed by the president of TRE-BA, delegator Maurício Kertzman Szporer, and referred to the Federal Police (PF), responsible for the compliance with the court order. The measure comes after the finding that public transport vehicles remained in the garages during the voting period.

The decision responds to a request from the Brazilian Federation of Hope, formed by PT, PCdoB and PV, which denounced a reduction of more than 50% in the fleet of buses in circulation in the capital of Bahia, compared to working days.

Justice orders buses to be arrested and operated

According to the court decision, an inspection carried out in the garage of the BRT system, located on Avenida Barros Reis, identified vehicles that were stopped as voters moved to the polling places.

During the inspection, a supervisor reported that the number of buses on the streets was below the usual operation and that the reduction followed guidelines of the Municipal Secretariat of Mobility (Semob).

The president of TRE-BA ordered the arrest of Pablo Souza, attributing to the decision the force of a judicial warrant.

The magistrate pointed to indications of non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Code related to the guarantee of the exercise of the vote and the offer of transport during the elections.

Until the publication of the first information on the decision, there was no official confirmation that the secretary’s arrest had been carried out.

Fine of R$ 1 million per hour

In addition to the arrest warrant, Justiça Eleitoral ordered the City of Salvador and the concessionaire companies to immediately re-establish the circulation of 100% of the fleet used on business days.

Vehicles must operate frequently and on regular routes, ensuring free transport to voters until the end of the vote and for the period necessary for passengers to return home.

The court established a period of one hour, counted from the notification, to prove compliance with the order.

In case of non-compliance, the decision provides for a fine of R$ 1 million per hour, whose responsibility will be shared between the municipality, the secretary and the concessionaire companies.

The City Hall presents justification for buses held

The mayor of Salvador, Bruno Reis, said that at least 75 buses were held in a garage due to the presence of electoral propaganda stickers related to the PT.

According to the version presented by the mayor, the material was placed by trade union representatives, causing difficulties for the release of vehicles.

The municipal administration also reported that the buses were recirculated after the removal of the stickers. The justification, however, did not prevent the judicial determination of the full restoration of the fleet.

The Federal Police were called in to oversee the garages and monitor compliance with the order.

Public transport during the elections

The controversy occurred during the second round of the 2026 presidential elections, when millions of Brazilians go to the polls to choose the president of the Republic.

The availability of public transport is considered fundamental to ensure the movement of voters, especially those who depend exclusively on buses to reach the electoral sections.

The case remains subject to further developments, including the confirmation of compliance with the arrest warrant and the supervision of the full restoration of services in the Bahian capital.