The World : Direct Brazil Voting OKd

The Brazilian Congress gave overwhelming initial approval to a measure reinstating preliminary presidential elections. Brazilians last elected a president by popular vote in 1960. The military took power in 1964 and gave way to a civilian government this year. The constitutional amendment, which does not set a date for the presidential elections, is subject to two sets of votes before becoming law. The measure, introduced by President Jose Sarney, passed in the Chamber of Deputies 458-0 on the first vote, while the Senate approved it with 62 of a possible 69 votes. Under the current system, the president is picked by an electoral college made up of congressmen and delegates from state legislatures.