# Brazil Voter Arrests Ban Starts 20 October

> Brazil voter arrests banned from 20 October until 27 October for runoff election.
- Title: Brazil Voter Arrests Ban Starts 20 October · The Rio Times
- Summary: Brazil voter arrests banned from 20 October until 27 October for runoff election. Brazil's electoral court bans voter arrests five days before 25 October…
- Keywords: brazil, voter arrests, runoff, lula, bolsonaro, tse, electoral code, 2026 election, polling station, safe-conduct, news, world
- Source: The Rio Times — https://riotimesonline.com/brazil-voter-arrests-ban-runoff-2026
- Author: Richard Mann
- Published: 2026-10-20T20:53:22+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: brazil, voter arrests, runoff, lula, bolsonaro, tse, electoral code, 2026 election, polling station, safe-conduct, news, world
## Voter Arrest Ban Begins
Brazil's electoral court banned voter arrests starting 20 October 2026 for five days before the runoff vote.

> Faltam 5 dias
## Ban Duration
The protection lasts until 48 hours after voting ends on 25 October 2026, ending 27 October.
## Exceptions to Ban
Voters can still be arrested in the act of a crime, for final criminal convictions without bail, or for breaching safe-conduct orders.
## Who Is Protected
Voters, candidates, poll workers, and party observers receive protection during the ban period.
## Why It Matters
The rule affects investors and travelers watching a technically tied presidential race between Lula and Bolsonaro.
## First Round Results
Flávio Bolsonaro won 47.03% of valid votes in first round, Lula 45.16% with a gap of over two million votes.
## Prediction Markets
Polymarket shows Bolsonaro with 77.2% chance of winning runoff, Lula 22.5% as of 20 October 2026.
## Campaign Activity
Lula plans rallies in Rio and São Paulo on 24 October, Bolsonaro visits allied governors and plans motorcade in Belo Horizonte.
## Safe-Conduct Orders
Agência Senado explains safe-conduct orders protect voters from threats or coercion during elections.
## Legal Basis
Article 236 of Brazil's Electoral Code bars arrests from five days before to 48 hours after voting ends.
## Foreign Visitors
The ban does not protect foreign travelers, so they should not treat it as general immunity.
## Voting End Time
Voting ends at 5 p.m. on 25 October 2026, with people already in line receiving tickets to vote.
## Candidate Eligibility
Candidates arrested in the act keep their right to run even if the arrest stands.
## TSE Timeline
TSE published the rule on 20 October 2026 under countdown headline 'Faltam 5 dias'.

> Faltam 5 dias
## What's Next
The runoff vote on 25 October 2026 will determine Brazil's next president between Lula and Bolsonaro.
## Key takeaway

Brazil's electoral court bans voter arrests five days before 25 October runoff vote between Lula and Bolsonaro.