Brazil's 2026 elections will be the most technologically advanced in the country's history. With the electronic voting machine celebrating 30 years, the TSE's unprecedented regulation of artificial intelligence use, and the proliferation of digital apps and platforms for campaigns, the electoral landscape has undergone a profound transformation. At the same time, threats like deepfakes and digital disinformation demand heightened attention from candidates, parties, and voters alike.
In this article, we explore how technology in the 2026 elections is reshaping the Brazilian electoral process — from the new TSE rules on AI to market opportunities for those who develop election software.
In this article
- The Technological Evolution of Elections in Brazil
- Artificial Intelligence in the 2026 Elections: What Changes
- Apps and Digital Platforms for Election Campaigns
- The Risks: Deepfakes, Disinformation, and Digital Manipulation
- The Election Software Development Market
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Next Step
The Technological Evolution of Elections in Brazil
Brazil is a global pioneer in electronic voting. The electronic voting machine was introduced in 1996 and, in 2026, celebrates 30 years of uninterrupted use. No other continental-sized country adopted a 100% electronic system with such foresight and scope.
Over these three decades, election technology has evolved consistently. Biometrics were incorporated for voter authentication, vote tallying became virtually instantaneous, and digital audits now ensure process integrity. The result is one of the fastest and most efficient voting systems in the world.
However, the evolution goes beyond the vote itself. The digital era has brought new dimensions to the electoral process: entirely online campaigns, big data for voter segmentation, chatbots for demand management, and more recently, generative artificial intelligence as both a tool and a threat. The 2026 elections, with the first round on October 4th and the second round on October 25th, will be the first major test of this new regulated reality.
Artificial Intelligence in the 2026 Elections: What Changes
In March 2026, Brazil's Superior Electoral Court (TSE) approved a set of resolutions that regulate the use of artificial intelligence in elections. It is the first time Brazil — and one of the few countries worldwide — has established specific rules for AI in the electoral context.
The new TSE rules on AI include fundamental points that every candidate, party, and software developer needs to know:
Deepfake ban
The use of deepfakes — videos, audio, or images generated by AI that simulate a candidate's appearance or voice — is expressly prohibited. Any synthetic content that represents candidates in a misleading way is illegal and subject to penalties.
Quiet period for AI-generated content
AI-generated content using candidates' images or voices is prohibited during the 72 hours before the election and the 24 hours after polls close. This rule aims to prevent last-minute manipulations that would have no time to be debunked.
AI cannot recommend candidates
Artificial intelligence systems cannot suggest, rank, or recommend candidates to voters. This applies to chatbots, virtual assistants, and any platform using recommendation algorithms.
Burden of proof inversion
One of the most significant changes: whoever publishes AI-generated content must be able to prove the content is real and legitimate. The inversion of the burden of proof means the victim no longer needs to prove falsity — the publisher must prove authenticity.
Fines and penalties
Violations of AI rules in elections carry fines of R$5,000 to R$30,000 per violation, in addition to possible additional electoral sanctions such as content removal and even candidacy revocation in severe cases.
These regulations represent a significant advance in protecting the democratic process. For technology companies and developers, they also create a new market: compliance tools, synthetic content detection, and AI auditing for campaigns. FWC Tecnologia, with experience in developing artificial intelligence solutions, closely monitors these changes.
Apps and Digital Platforms for Election Campaigns
The 2026 election campaigns are complex digital operations. Candidates for governor, senator, and representative need to manage thousands of supporters, segment communications by region and profile, monitor social media mentions, and comply with TSE legal requirements — all in real time.
To meet this demand, an ecosystem of election apps and platforms has consolidated in Brazil. Solutions like LideraAI, Elegis, Mobby Candidato, and Onda Eleitoral offer features such as:
- Voter and supporter management — political CRM with registration, segmentation, and interaction history
- Big data and analytics — dashboards with polling data, social media, and real-time engagement
- Microtargeting — voter segmentation by behavior, psychographic profile, location, and online engagement
- Chatbots and automation — automated service via WhatsApp and social media for campaign demands
- Multichannel communication — segmented message delivery via email, SMS, and social media
- Financial compliance — financial control integrated with TSE requirements
Big data in political marketing is perhaps the most profound change. Candidates can segment voters not only by traditional demographics (age, gender, city) but by digital behavior: which topics they follow, what content they engage with, and when they are most active. This enables much more targeted and efficient campaigns.
However, generic SaaS platforms don't always meet the specific needs of major campaigns. Parties operating across multiple states, political consultancies with dozens of simultaneous clients, and candidates with differentiated strategies frequently need custom software — and that's where the opportunity to develop a custom election campaign app comes in. It is essential, however, that any platform collecting voter data complies with LGPD and data protection rules.
The Risks: Deepfakes, Disinformation, and Digital Manipulation
If technology brings opportunities, it also amplifies risks. The digital threat landscape for the 2026 elections is concerning. According to a survey by Senado Verifica, deepfake threats grew 126% in recent years, making synthetic content disinformation one of the greatest concerns for the election.
The main risks include:
Audio and video deepfakes
With generative AI tools becoming increasingly accessible, it is possible to create fake videos and audio of candidates saying things they never said. The quality of these forgeries has evolved to the point of deceiving even attentive observers. A viral deepfake in the final campaign days can influence millions of voters without enough time for a rebuttal.
Automated disinformation networks
Bots and automated accounts on social media can spread fake news at industrial scale. With AI, these networks have become more sophisticated: texts appear more natural, profiles more believable, and coordination harder to detect. The Fake News Bill and TSE regulations seek to curb these practices, but technology's speed often outpaces legislation.
Algorithm manipulation
Social media platforms use algorithms that prioritize high-engagement content — and controversial or false content tends to generate more engagement than balanced information. Malicious campaigns can exploit this dynamic to amplify distorted messages.
Cyber attacks
Intrusions into campaign systems, voter data leaks, and denial-of-service attacks on information platforms are real threats. Cybersecurity has become an essential pillar of any digital electoral operation.
The burden of proof inversion established by the TSE is a direct response to these risks. By requiring publishers to prove content authenticity, the regulation creates an important disincentive against the irresponsible dissemination of AI-generated content.
The Election Software Development Market
The 2026 elections drive a billion-dollar market — and the demand for election technology has never been higher. For software development companies, this scenario represents a concrete business opportunity.
The main types of software in demand include:
| Software Type | Key Features | Target Audience |
|---|---|---|
| Voter management | CRM, registration, segmentation, history | Candidates, parties |
| Analytics and BI | Dashboards, polling, sentiment analysis | Political consultancies |
| Communication | Multichannel delivery, chatbots, automation | Campaign teams |
| Research and data collection | Field apps, geolocation, forms | Research institutes |
| Compliance and auditing | Deepfake detection, financial reporting | Parties, TSE |
| Citizen engagement | Participation platforms, internal voting | Voters, movements |
The demand for custom software is especially strong among parties with multi-state operations, political consultancies serving dozens of simultaneous candidates, and campaigns with advanced digital strategies. Generic SaaS solutions often don't offer the level of customization, integration, and security these operations require.
AI integration in software development is another competitive advantage. Tools that use artificial intelligence for sentiment analysis, electoral behavior prediction, and automatic fake content detection are among the most in-demand.
For development companies like FWC Tecnologia, with over 30 apps developed and experience in artificial intelligence, the electoral market represents a strategic vertical. The ability to deliver custom projects within 30 to 120 days is compatible with the electoral calendar, which demands implementation agility.
If you are a party, consultancy, or candidate who needs a custom election campaign app, learn about features and costs in our article on how to develop an election campaign app in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the new TSE rules on artificial intelligence in the 2026 elections?
The TSE banned deepfakes, established a 72-hour pre-election and 24-hour post-election quiet period for AI content using candidate images or voices, prohibited AI systems from recommending candidates, and inverted the burden of proof for AI-generated content publishers. Fines range from R$5,000 to R$30,000 per violation.
What are deepfakes and why are they dangerous in elections?
Deepfakes are videos, audio, or images generated by artificial intelligence that simulate real people's appearance or voice. In elections, they pose a serious risk because they can create false candidate statements, influencing voters with fabricated information. Deepfake threats grew 126% in recent years according to Senate data.
What types of apps are used in election campaigns?
The main types include voter management apps with political CRM, analytics platforms with real-time dashboards, multichannel communication tools with chatbots, field research apps with geolocation, and compliance systems for TSE financial reporting.
Can big data be legally used in political campaigns?
Yes, as long as it complies with LGPD and TSE regulations. It is permitted to segment communications by demographic and behavioral profile, but it is prohibited to use personal data without consent or employ AI to recommend candidates directly to voters.
How much does it cost to develop an election campaign app?
The cost varies by complexity, number of features, and delivery timeline. Basic voter management apps can start from R$30,000, while complete platforms with analytics, AI, and multiple integrations can exceed R$150,000. Use our app price calculator to get a personalized estimate.
Next Step
The 2026 elections represent a milestone in the relationship between technology and democracy in Brazil. The TSE's regulation of artificial intelligence, the sophistication of campaign tools, and the growing risks of digital disinformation create a scenario where election software development is both a responsibility and a market opportunity.
If you need an election campaign app, a political analytics platform, or any digital solution for the 2026 elections, FWC Tecnologia can help. With over 6 years of experience, 30+ apps developed, and expertise in artificial intelligence, we deliver custom projects with the agility the electoral calendar demands.
Request a quote or get a price estimate for your election project.