Cármen Lúcia Advocates Ending Telework and Enhancing Ethics in Brazil's Electoral Justice
Cármen Lúcia calls for an end to telework and introduces new ethical guidelines to improve transparency and efficiency in Brazil's electoral judiciary.
- • Cármen Lúcia calls to end telework in electoral justice post-pandemic.
- • New conduct rules introduced to enhance transparency and ethics among electoral judges.
- • Efforts underway to accelerate voter registration and biometrization in various regions.
- • Concerns raised about conflicts of interest involving judges who also practice law.
Key details
Cármen Lúcia, president of Brazil's Superior Electoral Court (TSE), has called for the cessation of telework in the electoral justice system, emphasizing a return to in-person operations post-pandemic to strengthen judicial integrity. During a meeting with presidents of the regional electoral courts (TREs) on February 18, 2026, she also urged expedited voter registration processes, especially in areas facing delays, to ensure smoother elections.
The meeting featured discussions on a new set of conduct guidelines for electoral judges, prompted by Supreme Court Minister Edson Fachin's push for a judicial code of ethics. Cármen announced ten directives aimed at enhancing transparency and preventing conflicts of interest among judges, such as publicizing hearings and prohibiting the acceptance of gifts that could impair impartiality. These recommendations also address concerns about judges who continue to practice law potentially facing conflicts.
Oswaldo Trigueiro, president of TRE-PB, commended the focus on ethical conduct, particularly for judges with prior legal careers. Some regional courts are already working on speeding up voter biometrization in response to these initiatives. The TSE believes these reforms will standardize judicial behavior and bolster institutional credibility ahead of elections. Cármen Lúcia indicated that similar ethical measures may soon extend to Supreme Court justices to reinforce judicial impartiality across Brazil's highest courts.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
