Brazil implements candidate arrest protections for 2026 second round

Under the Brazilian Electoral Code, candidates participating in the second round of the 2026 elections are now protected from arrest or detention, except in cases of flagrante delicto. This measure, which took effect on October 10, remains in place until October 27, two days after the October 25 vote. The rule applies to presidential candidates, including Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro, as well as candidates for governorship in Acre, Amazonas, Distrito Federal, Espírito Santo, Rio Grande do Norte, and Tocantins.

Regarding voting logistics, the Regional Electoral Court of Mato Grosso (TRE-MT) has clarified that the deadline to request transit voting for the second round has passed. Voters who are away from their electoral domicile on election day must have applied between July 20 and August 20 to vote in a different city. Those who missed this deadline or only applied for the first round cannot vote in transit during the second round. However, voters who missed the first round are still eligible to vote on October 25 if their registration is regular.