Structure

The Superior Electoral Court, as determined by art. 119 of the 1988 Federal Constitution, is composed of seven magistrates, chosen as follows:

• three ministers are elected from among the members of the Federal Supreme Court (STF);

• two ministers are elected from among the members of the Superior Court of Justice (STJ);

• two ministers are appointed by the President of the Republic, chosen from among six lawyers of outstanding legal knowledge and moral integrity, appointed by the STF.

The TSE elects its president and vice president from among the ministers of the STF, and the electoral magistrate from among the ministers of the STJ (CF/88, art. 119, sole paragraph).

For each effective minister, a substitute chosen by the same process is elected (FC/88, art. 121, § 2, in fine).

Each minister is elected for a biennium, with reelection disallowed after two consecutive bienniums (FC/88, art. 121, 1st part).

The rotation of judges within the Electoral Court aims to maintain the apolitical character of the electoral courts, in order to ensure equality in the electoral processes.

The electoral attorney general works under the Court.