Brazil's Electoral Court sets 2026 campaign ad time and candidate registration deadline

The Superior Electoral Court (TSE) released a representation table that will determine the distribution of free election propaganda time on radio and television for the 2026 elections. Under the Electoral Law, 90% of the airtime is allocated proportionally to the number of federal deputies each party or federation elected in 2022, while the remaining 10% is divided equally among parties that met the constitutional performance clause. The biggest allocation goes to the União Progressista Federation (União Brasil and PP), followed by PL, the Brazil of Hope Federation (PT, PCdoB, PV), PSD, MDB and others. The same representation figures – 510 deputies and 81 senators who met the clause – will also be used to decide how many candidates from each party can take part in the electoral debates.

After party conventions concluded on 5 August, the TSE set a deadline of 19:00 local time on 15 August for parties, federations and coalitions to submit candidate registration documents. Submissions must include the Demonstrativo de Regularidade de Atos Partidários confirming the legitimacy of the convention and the Requerimento de Registro de Candidatura (RRC) with candidate details. The court will verify compliance with gender quotas and eligibility criteria, and may reject or open impugnation periods for any irregularities.