# Brazilian electoral court candidate bans > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/brazilian-electoral-court-candidate-bans > Updated: 2026-09-18T14:32:46.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2. Brazilian electoral courts have issued rulings to block several political candidates based on investigations into links between politicians and criminal organizations. In Bahia, the Regional Electoral Court (TRE-BA) unanimously blocked the re-election bid of state deputy Kleber Cristian Escolano de Almeida, known as Binho Galinha. Federal Police investigations suggested Almeida leads a criminal militia involved in money laundering related to illegal gambling. Almeida, who was previously sentenced to over 36 years in prison for firearms offenses, was deemed a threat to the integrity of the democratic process. In Paraíba, the Regional Electoral Court (TRE-PB) barred the candidacy of Dinho Dowsley, President of the João Pessoa City Council, following ‘Operação Território Livre’. This investigation examined alleged political-electoral structures linked to criminal factions. The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office (MPF) described a “conscious symbiosis” between the politician and criminal territorial apparatuses. Dowsley is currently appealing the decision to the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), arguing the presumption of innocence in the absence of a final criminal conviction. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-18: Dinho Dowsley appeals ban on state deputy candidacy Dinho Dowsley is appealing a court decision to bar his candidacy for state deputy in Paraíba, following allegations of links to criminal factions. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dinho-dowsley-appeals-ban-on-state-deputy-candidacy ### 2026-09-14: Bahia court blocks re-election bid of deputy Binho Galinha The Bahia Regional Electoral Court unanimously blocked state deputy Binho Galinha's re-election bid due to his alleged leadership of a criminal militia and a 36-year prison sentence. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bahia-court-blocks-re-election-bid-of-deputy-binho-galinha --- Cite as: Brazilian electoral court candidate bans. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/brazilian-electoral-court-candidate-bans