# Rio Grande do Norte electoral legal disputes > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/rio-grande-do-norte-electoral-legal-disputes > Updated: 2026-09-07T22:29:12.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2. In Rio Grande do Norte, electoral legal challenges have emerged regarding candidate identities and campaign conduct. The Ministério Público Eleitoral (MPE) initially opposed candidates Carlos Eduardo Xavier and Samanda Alves using names on electronic ballots that imply a family connection to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, such as ‘Cadu de Lula’ and ‘Samanda de Lula’. The MPE argued these names could mislead voters, as neither candidate has the surname ‘Lula’ in their civil registry. Following these registration disputes, the Regional Electoral Court of Rio Grande do Norte (TRE-RN) intervened in a campaign dispute involving gubernatorial candidate Cadu de Lula. The court ordered him to remove an Instagram video in which he attacked opponent Allyson Bezerra, calling him a “liar” and accusing him of playing “dirty games.” The judge ruled that previous judicial decisions did not validate these personal accusations and imposed fines for any subsequent violations of the order. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-07: Rio Grande do Norte court orders Cadu de Lula to remove attack video The Rio Grande do Norte Electoral Court ordered candidate Cadu de Lula to remove a video attacking opponent Allyson Bezerra, following a ruling that his accusations of dishonesty were unfounded. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rio-grande-do-norte-court-orders-cadu-de-lula-to-remove-attack-video ### 2026-08-13: Rio Grande do Norte candidates face legal challenge over ‘Lula’ names The Ministério Público Eleitoral is challenging the use of ‘Cadu de Lula’ and ‘Samanda de Lula’ on election ballots in Rio Grande do Norte, arguing the names may mislead voters regarding family ties to the de-f 18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lula-and-allyson-bezerra-adopt-hats-for-2026-election-photos --- Cite as: Rio Grande do Norte electoral legal disputes. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/rio-grande-do-norte-electoral-legal-disputes