Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Kassio Nunes Marques Takes Helm of Electoral Court Ahead of 2026 Elections
By Hotspotnews
Brasília, May 12, 2026 — Supreme Court Justice Kassio Nunes Marques was officially sworn in as president of Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court (TSE) on Tuesday evening, with Justice André Mendonça assuming the role of vice-president. The ceremony, held in the TSE’s plenary chamber, marks a significant leadership transition for the body responsible for overseeing the country’s upcoming general elections.
Nunes Marques succeeds Justice Cármen Lúcia, who stepped down early to allow the new president additional preparation time for the October 2026 elections. His two-year term will run until 2028, after which Mendonça is expected to assume the presidency. This marks the first time two justices appointed by former President Jair Bolsonaro will lead the TSE during a national election cycle.
The event drew a large audience, including President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, presidents of both houses of Congress, Supreme Federal Court ministers, lawmakers, and other dignitaries. Invitations followed standard protocol, extending to living former presidents, though attendance by those under house arrest required judicial approval.
In his inaugural address, Nunes Marques emphasized the strength and reliability of Brazil’s electronic voting system, describing it as a key institutional asset of Brazilian democracy. He pledged to defend the system against unfounded attacks while committing to a balanced approach in overseeing the electoral process.
The new president highlighted emerging challenges posed by artificial intelligence, particularly the risks of deepfakes and other AI-generated content in political campaigns. He called for vigilance to prevent illegal uses of these technologies that could undermine elections, while stressing respect for freedom of expression. Nunes Marques advocated for prudence, independence, and equilibrium—acting firmly against genuine threats to democracy without overstepping into excesses incompatible with the rule of law.
He also made religious references during the speech, thanking God for the opportunity to lead the “Court of Democracy” alongside Mendonça at this critical juncture for the nation, and closed with a blessing for the TSE and Brazil.
Mendonça, sworn in alongside Nunes Marques, is expected to share a similar technical and low-profile style focused on institutional stability.
The inauguration comes at a pivotal moment, as the TSE prepares rules for the use of AI in campaigns and finalizes preparations for the 2026 presidential, gubernatorial, and congressional elections. Observers see the new leadership as signaling a more restrained judicial role compared to recent years, prioritizing impartiality and technical governance.16
The formal oaths were followed by a reception, underscoring the institutional importance of the transition in Brazil’s democratic framework.