With Brazil’s general elections looming on 4 October, the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) and the Ministry of Justice issued Joint Ordinance No. 4/2026 on 18 September to “guarantee free circulation of voters” nationwide. The measure, published in the Judiciary’s electronic gazette, instructs the Federal Highway Police (PRF) to avoid checkpoints or roadblocks that could delay access to polling stations unless a clear and immediate safety risk exists. The directive responds to controversies during the 2022 election, when spot-checks on major highways caused queues and claims of voter suppression. For 2026, operational plans must now be pre-cleared with regional electoral courts, and any emergency closure must be reported with justification and alternate-route information. The ordinance also formalises PRF support for the “Seu Voto Importa” scheme, which provides free individual transport for voters with reduced mobility. Although aimed at domestic voters, the rules have practical implications for foreign executives whose staff or suppliers need to travel on election days. Companies running inter-state shuttle services should factor in potential but limited police activity and carry documentation detailing the essential nature of travel. Freight forwarders will benefit from the reduced likelihood of unscheduled highway stops, helping maintain supply-chain continuity during what is traditionally a high-volume weekend for e-commerce. Mobility consultants note that the ordinance exemplifies Brazil’s broader trend toward balancing security with the constitutional right to movement. The TSE has signalled that it may extend similar protocols to the municipal elections in 2028, creating a more predictable framework for business travel during nationally sensitive periods.
Source: Tribunal Superior Eleitoral
