# TSE challenge to Cícero Lucena candidacy

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/tse-challenge-to-ccero-lucena-candidacy
> Updated: 2026-10-03T11:50:00.000Z. Sources: 80. Developments: 2.

The Superior Electoral Court (TSE) has established a majority to reject Cícero Lucena’s (MDB) candidacy for the governorship of Paraíba in the 2026 elections. Four ministers—Ricardo Villas Bôas Cueva, Dias Toffoli, Floriano de Azevedo Marques Neto, and Estela Aranha—voted to uphold a challenge by the Electoral Public Ministry (MPE).

Minister Cueva, acting as rapporteur, stated there are sufficient elements to suggest Lucena benefited from the activities of a criminal organization, specifically the Nova Okaida group, during the 2020 and 2024 elections. The investigation reportedly involves potential dealings concerning the candidate’s daughter. 

The final decision is pending as Minister André Mendonça has requested a stay to review the case. Lucena’s candidacy remains ‘sub judice,’ allowing him to continue campaigning, though votes cast for him will only be validated if his registration is ultimately approved. Lucena has characterized the legal challenges as ‘tapetão,’ or judicial maneuvers intended to bypass the ballot box.

## Claims

- Minister Floriano de Azevedo Marques of the TSE rejected Deltan Dallagnol's candidacy for the Senate in Paraná. (disputed by 18 sources)
- The Regional Electoral Court of Paraná authorized Dallagnol's candidacy with a 4-3 vote. (disputed by 3 sources)
- Dallagnol resigned from the Federal Public Ministry in November 2021. (corroborated by 18 sources)
- Votes cast for Deltan Dallagnol are to be considered null. (corroborated by 17 sources)
- The TSE decision reverses the previous approval granted to Dallagnol by the TRE-PR. (corroborated by 17 sources)
- The decision is monocratic and will be analyzed by the TSE plenary. (corroborated by 14 sources)
- The MPE supports maintaining Deltan Dallagnol's candidacy for the Senate. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- Elegibility conditions must be assessed independently for each election cycle. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- The administrative procedures involving Dallagnol were archived without resulting in formal disciplinary proceedings (PAD). (corroborated by 7 sources)
- The rejection of Dallagnol's candidacy also invalidates the entire majoritarian slate for the Senate. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- A majority of the TSE has voted to deny Cícero Lucena's candidacy for the Paraíba state government. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Minister André Mendonça requested a stay of proceedings, causing the virtual trial to be moved to a physical session. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-03: Jamilson Name reelection candidacy denied by Brazil's TSE

Brazil's TSE has denied State Deputy Jamilson Name's reelection bid due to links to a criminal organization. The decision is subject to appeal, allowing his candidacy to remain “sub judice” for now.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jamilson-name-reelection-candidacy-denied-by-brazils-tse

### 2026-10-02: Deltan Dallagnol Senate candidacy suspended by TSE President

TSE President Kassio Nunes Marques suspended a decision to block Deltan Dallagnol's Senate candidacy in Paraná, allowing votes to be counted pending a final plenary ruling.

79 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tse-majority-forms-to-block-ccero-lucenas-paraba-governorship-candidacy

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Cite as: TSE challenge to Cícero Lucena candidacy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/tse-challenge-to-ccero-lucena-candidacy