Brazil sets July 6 deadline for election‑monitoring source code and enforces electoral ‘defeso’ restrictions

The Brazilian Superior Electoral Court (TSE) announced that entities responsible for overseeing the 2026 general elections must submit the source code of their verification programs, along with a public key for digital signing, by Monday, July 6. The submissions will be examined before the deadline for the digital‑signature ceremony that seals the electoral systems. The deadline also marks the end of the period in which the TSE will review the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ requests regarding voting facilities for Brazilians abroad.

Separately, the electoral “defeso” period began on Saturday, July 4, three months ahead of the first round scheduled for October 4. During this interval, candidates are barred from attending public works inaugurations and government websites must remove content that identifies politicians. Public agencies cannot run institutional advertising, hire artists with public funds, or broadcast chain announcements without prior judicial approval. Restrictions also apply to hiring, dismissals, and the transfer of public resources, with limited exceptions for essential services and ongoing projects.