Lula authorizes use of Armed Forces in 2026 elections

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil has signed a decree authorizing the deployment of the Armed Forces to guarantee the integrity of voting and vote counting, as well as to provide logistical support during the 2026 general elections. The decree was officially published on Tuesday, July 21, in the Diário Oficial da União.

According to the decree, the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) will be responsible for determining the specific locations and timeframes during which the Armed Forces will be engaged. This ensures that their involvement is coordinated with the electoral process's needs.

Historically, the Armed Forces have played a crucial role in supporting Brazil's electoral system. Their contributions in past elections have included reinforcing security at polling stations, facilitating the transportation of ballot boxes, and assisting electoral personnel, especially in reaching remote and hard-to-access areas such as indigenous and riverside communities.

The 2026 elections are scheduled for October 4, with approximately 158 million voters eligible to participate. Voters will be choosing candidates for president, governors, senators, federal deputies, and state or district deputies. The number of eligible voters has seen a growth of about 1.5% since 2022, with the Northern region experiencing the most significant proportional increase, now accounting for 8.26% of the national electorate. A potential second round of voting is scheduled for October 25.