Brazil: TSE orders regional courts to apply two-hour voting extension amid widespread implementation challenges Brazil's Supreme Electoral Court (TSE) issued an official circular ordering regional electoral courts to comply with the decision of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) extending voting hours by two hours, until 19:00 Brasilia time, in the October 25 presidential election cycle. STF judge, Cristiano Zanin, ordered a nationwide extension following a request from President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silves, alleging disruptions to public transportation. He later clarified that the measure applies only to the polling stations where electronic voting machines have not yet been closed; Machines that are already closed and their results remain final. TSE President Cassio Nunes Marques conveyed this directive to the TREs. Some regional courts reported significant practical difficulties, including late official notification (the commissioner arrived after many stations had already closed), inability to reopen sealed machines, and early completion of local procedures. Federal district courts and others have indicated that timely compliance is not possible in sections that have already become final. The TSE suspended the national vote tally pending a decision on the extended window. The situation caused confusion at polling stations in several countries.

Brazil: TSE orders regional courts to apply two-hour voting extension amid widespread implementation challenges Brazil's Supreme Electoral Court (TSE) issued an official circular ordering regional electoral courts to comply with the decision of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) extending voting hours by two hours, until 19:00 Brasilia time, in the October 25 presidential election cycle. STF judge, Cristiano Zanin, ordered a nationwide extension following a request from President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silves, alleging disruptions to public transportation. He later clarified that the measure applies only to the polling stations where electronic voting machines have not yet been closed; Machines that are already closed and their results remain final. TSE President Cassio Nunes Marques conveyed this directive to the TREs. Some regional courts reported significant practical difficulties, including late official notification (the commissioner arrived after many stations had already closed), inability to reopen sealed machines, and early completion of local procedures. Federal district courts and others have indicated that timely compliance is not possible in sections that have already become final. The TSE suspended the national vote tally pending a decision on the extended window. The situation caused confusion at polling stations in several countries.