Brazil prepares for 2026 elections with candidates and security plans

Preparations for Brazil’s 2026 general elections are underway, involving candidate registration, security planning, and voter logistics. Thirteen candidates are currently vying for the presidency, including incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro. Polling indicates a competitive landscape, with Lula maintaining strength in the Northeast while Bolsonaro shows increased competitiveness in the Southeast.

To ensure security, the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) has approved the deployment of federal forces to reinforce voting in five states, including Rio de Janeiro and Ceará, particularly in areas with high conflict or difficult access.

Logistical updates include the appointment of polling station workers and the establishment of procedures for voters to justify absences via the e-Título app or physical forms. Additionally, approximately 1.6 million youths aged 16 and 17 are eligible to vote, though participation remains optional for this group. New regulations also address electoral harassment in the workplace, holding companies accountable if they permit such conduct.