Quaest halts political campaign polling for Brazil's 2026 election

On 12 July 2026, Brazilian market research firm Quaest announced it will not carry out any surveys or monitoring for political candidates or parties during the 2026 electoral campaign. CEO Felipe Nunes said the decision allows the institute to focus on more than 200 studies already commissioned by Globo and its affiliates, as well as research contracts from private companies, while preserving the firm's independence, isonomy and impartiality.

The move eliminates a potential conflict of interest, but it also raises questions about the transparency of the large‑scale polling operation financed by Globo. Quaest disclosed past contracts, such as a state‑level survey in Paraná ordered by Banco Genial that cost roughly R$ 215,000, illustrating the financial scale of the upcoming polling agenda. The institute will continue to conduct qualitative tracking studies for private sector clients and will publish the Globo‑ordered surveys throughout the campaign period.