Brazil's 2026 Election: Intense Campaigning Amid Over 50,000 Electoral Propaganda Complaints
With intensified campaign efforts across Brazil, over 51,000 electoral propaganda complaints have been filed with the TSE as the 2026 elections draw near.
- • Presidential candidates are actively campaigning nationwide with diverse platforms.
- • Lula da Silva promises expanded access to public healthcare services.
- • Ronaldo Caiado and others propose fiscal reforms and social policy changes.
- • TSE has received 51,395 complaints about irregular electoral propaganda.
- • 27% of complaints have become formal legal proceedings by the Electoral Court.
Key details
As Brazil's 2026 general elections approach, presidential candidates have ramped up campaign activities while the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) reports a significant influx of complaints regarding irregular campaign propaganda.
On Monday, September 28, key candidates spread their messages across various states. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva focused on public health promises in Belém and Manaus, pledging to expand access to modern exams and specialist consultations in the public health system, emphasizing that "It is the people's right to be treated with respect and decency." Ronaldo Caiado campaigned in Goiânia, proposing a cap on mandatory spending growth to 50% of GDP growth and a 25% cut in discretionary spending, stating the need for "moral authority in governance." Samara Martins advocated for abortion legalization in São Paulo, while Flávio Bolsonaro pushed for tax reductions benefiting entrepreneurs. Hertz Dias called for increased funding for federal universities and criticized fiscal policies that limit social investments.
Meanwhile, the TSE has received 51,395 reports of irregular electoral propaganda via its Pardal app since the campaign began. São Paulo leads with 10,388 complaints, followed by Bahia (5,969), Minas Gerais (4,635), and Pernambuco (3,505). The most common issue, making up 43.78% of complaints, involves irregular propaganda displayed in public spaces. Other reports concern inappropriate ads on private properties, public assets (which require judicial authorization), and various media platforms including internet, radio, television, and printed materials exceeding allowed limits.
Of these complaints, 27% have been converted into formal legal proceedings by the Electoral Court. The Pardal app allows anonymous reports with photo, video, or document attachments and directs users to other channels if the complaint falls outside the app’s criteria.
As the candidates actively engage voters nationwide, the volume and diversity of propaganda violations underline ongoing monitoring challenges in Brazil's heated electoral environment. Both campaigning and complaint-handling will remain critical in the days leading up to the election.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
