Colonel Arnóbio Flexa Nascimento, representing the Podemos party, was sworn in as a state deputy in the Legislative Assembly of Amapá on Thursday, following the annulment of the mandate of José Carlos Carvalho Barbosa, known as Kaká Barbosa. The decision was made by the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), which concluded that Barbosa had violated election laws by engaging in vote-buying, a serious offense that also led to the cancellation of another deputy's mandate, Sonize Pimentel.

Just two days prior to Flexa's inauguration, the Regional Electoral Court of Amapá (TRE-AP) re-tabulated the votes from the 2022 proportional elections, certifying Flexa's election and diploma as a representative. This marks a significant transition for Flexa, who received 4,222 votes and officially began his term simultaneously with his retirement from a 30-year career in the Military Police, indicating a notable shift from military service to political responsibility.

Flexa's entry into the Assembly comes with approximately ten months remaining in the current legislative term. The legal repercussions for Kaká Barbosa include a monetary fine of R$ 10,000 and an eight-year ineligibility period, underscoring the judicial system's stance against electoral fraud. The situation highlights ongoing issues of accountability and integrity in Brazil’s electoral processes, as new leaders like Flexa step in following such controversies.