The Bahia state court has approved an appeal to potentially increase the number of city councilors from 13 to 15 in Tucano, Brazil, based on recent population changes.
The recent population census conducted by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) revealed a decrease in residents of Tucano, Bahia, from 52,418 in 2010 to 48,736 in 2022. This demographic shift raised questions about the appropriate number of city councilors, as federal law stipulates that the number of councilors should correlate to the population size. According to Article 4 of the Federal Constitution, the correct number of councilors should be 13, contrary to the local law proposing an increase to 15.
The local city council rejected this interpretation and instead requested a recount of the votes from the upcoming proportional elections in 2024, seeking to diplomate two additional councilors. Initially, this request was denied, with the court deeming it unfounded. However, the city government pursued further legal action, which culminated in an appeal that was recently approved by Judge Mauricio Kertzman Szporer. This decision implies a shift in the understanding of how councilor numbers should be determined and opens the possibility for local councils to challenge federal guidelines.
The implications of this ruling are significant as they could set a precedent for other municipalities dealing with similar demographic changes and issues regarding councilor representation. Ensuring that local government structures reflect the population size is critical for effective governance, and this case in Tucano may inspire other cities to re-evaluate their council compositions in light of changing populations.
