Rio de Janeiro Electoral Court mobilizes federal troops and national guard for 2026 election security

The Regional Electoral Court of Rio de Janeiro (TRE‑RJ) created an Extraordinary Institutional Security Cabinet (Gaesi) that brings together municipal, state and federal security agencies to prevent criminal interference in the 2026 elections. Court president Judge Claudio de Mello Tavares said the integrated effort will “produce effects in favour of security and tranquility for the voter, so he can make his choice free of external interference.”

In a plenary session, TRE‑RJ unanimously approved the deployment of federal troops to reinforce security at polling stations in October, citing the risk to voters in areas dominated by armed groups and recent corruption scandals in state legislatures. The request originated from the state governor and was presented by Judge Tavares.

The court is also evaluating a request for support from the National Force (Força Nacional). If approved by the Superior Electoral Court, the contingent would be coordinated with the local military command to ensure safe voting.

Separately, the Regional Electoral Court of Pernambuco (TRE‑PE) demonstrated Brazil’s electronic voting system to consular representatives in Recife, highlighting the technical and procedural safeguards that guarantee election transparency and security.