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The entry of the candidates election campaign for re-election in Paraná

Abstract

For a long time, the participation of Brazilian women in electoral contests has been limited, showing lower numbers compared to other Latin American countries. Women's participation in electoral processes in the country is restricted for several reasons, including historical and structural issues, lack of internal democracy within political parties, inefficient public policies to promote women's inclusion in the electoral process, and especially the lack of representation. It is on this last aspect that this research focuses. The gradual and slow increase in the number of elected women is not enough to guarantee effective representation in the Legislative Chambers, and being in a prominent position does not ensure greater visibility for female candidates seeking reelection. With the advent of new communication technologies—which are also responsible for the democratization of access to information for candidates—one can assert that social media has been an ally for female candidacies in elections and reelection for legislative positions. How do female candidates utilize these platforms to reach their audience and garner more votes? These questions can be answered in various ways. One approach is to analyze how State Deputies utilize social media. In 2022, electoral campaigns will commence on August 16th, and it is on this date that the research will analyze the profiles of the five representatives from Paraná in the State Legislative Assembly (Alep), aiming to understand how the communication of the candidates seeking reelection for the position of State Deputy in Paraná was constructed. By the end of this research, the goal is to comprehend the social media strategies adopted by the candidates during their campaign launches and determine the communicational profile utilized by them in the electoral landscape.