Cármen Lúcia, the president of Brazil's Superior Electoral Court (TSE), unveiled a set of recommendations that are meant to guide the ethical behavior of electoral judges for the 2026 elections. These guidelines, announced on a Tuesday session, are referred to as 'parameters of appropriate behavior according to constitutional values.' The move aims to ensure that judges maintain a high standard of conduct that aligns with constitutional principles during the crucial electoral period.

The introduction of this code comes alongside another significant development in Brazil's judiciary. Recently, Edson Fachin, the president of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), appointed Cármen Lúcia as the rapporteur for the Supreme's own Code of Conduct. Fachin sees this initiative as a priority for his presidency of the Supreme Court, although it is facing pushback from some of his fellow justices. The introduction of a code of conduct is aimed at fostering consistency in behavior among judges and strengthening institutional credibility, especially in light of the sensitive electoral context that Brazil finds itself in.

By establishing these codes of conduct, the TSE seeks to improve the public's trust in the electoral process and underscore the importance of judicial integrity. As Brazil prepares for its upcoming elections, ensuring that all judges adhere to established ethical standards will be crucial in upholding the democratic process and reinforcing the rule of law during electoral activities.