Federal Police Open Over 1,600 Investigations and São Paulo Military Police Detain Five in Electoral Crime Crackdown

During the second round of Brazil's 2026 elections, the Federal Police registered 1,620 inquiries into possible electoral crimes, reflecting the authorities' intensified scrutiny of election integrity. According to official reports, 131 individuals were taken to police stations for questioning, and 377 flagrant cases are currently under analysis by investigators. This surge in investigations coincides with a high-profile rescheduling of Senate and Chamber leaders' visit to the Superior Electoral Tribunal (TSE), with TSE President Kassio Nunes Marques planning a press conference to address ongoing electoral matters.

Complementing this federal law enforcement activity, the São Paulo Military Police detained five individuals on October 25 for breaches of electoral law during voting. Offenses included photographing electronic voting machines and using cell phones within voting booths, prohibited actions aimed at safeguarding ballot secrecy and voting process integrity. Incidents were documented across São Paulo city and neighboring municipalities such as São Caetano do Sul, Osasco, and Marília. In one case on Rua Palmerina, authorities intervened after a voter attempted to photograph a voting machine; the image was deleted, and the individual was processed at the 31st Police District. Similar cases led to detentions in other districts as well.

São Paulo holds a significant position in Brazil's electoral landscape, with over 34.1 million eligible voters, representing 21.4% of the national electorate, thus making these enforcement measures critical to maintaining fair elections in the country's largest voting bloc.