# Law No. 6055 of June 17, 1974

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105659902](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105659902)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-6055-of-june-17-1974

## Summary

Law No. 6055 of June 17, 1974 (Lei nº 6055/1974) is a Brazilian statute that establishes rules for the conduct of elections in 1974 and includes other miscellaneous provisions. Promulgated by President Ernesto Geisel on behalf of the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil, this law governs various aspects of the Brazilian electoral process, including time limits, consent requirements, registration procedures, competencies of electoral bodies, and the roles of political parties, civil servants, and legislative chambers.

## Key Facts

- **Official Title:** Lei nº 6055, de 17 de junho de 1974
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 6055/1974
- **Promulgation Date:** June 17, 1974
- **Promulgating Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
- **President:** Ernesto Geisel (served 1974-1979)
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **Country of Jurisdiction:** Brazil
- **Classification:** Statute (legal term/concept)
- **LEXML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-06-17;6055
- **Official Source URL:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1970-1979/l6055.htm
- **Wikidata Description:** Brazilian law

## FAQs

**What is the subject matter of Law No. 6055/1974?**

Law No. 6055 of June 17, 1974 establishes norms regarding the conduct of elections in 1974 and provides for other miscellaneous measures. It addresses electoral procedures within Brazil's democratic framework.

**Which governmental bodies are referenced in Law No. 6055/1974?**

The law references several key Brazilian electoral and governmental institutions, including the Brazilian Election Justice (Justiça Eleitoral), the Superior Electoral Court (Tribunal Superior Eleitoral - TSE), the Chamber of Deputies (Câmara dos Deputados), and the Federal Senate of Brazil (Senado Federal).

**What topics does Law No. 6055/1974 cover?**

The law covers numerous electoral and administrative topics including time limits (prazo), consent and approval (aprovação), registration (registro), competency (competência), time intervals (período), regulations (regulamento), court decisions (julgamento), and changes to existing legal provisions (alteração). It also addresses the roles of federative units (estados), civil servants (servidor), political parties (partido político), and citizen participation in decisions.

**Who promulgated Law No. 6055/1974?**

The law was promulgated by President Ernesto Geisel, who served as President of Brazil from 1974 to 1979 during the military dictatorship period.

**What is the legal classification of Law No. 6055/1974?**

The law is classified as a statute, which is a formal written document that creates law, encompassing acts, executive orders, and by-laws. It is considered a manifestation of statutory law and contains legal norms as its constituent parts.

## Why It Matters

Law No. 6055 of June 17, 1974 matters because it represents a specific legislative act governing Brazil's electoral process during a particular historical period. As a statute, it demonstrates how the Brazilian government formalizes electoral rules through written legislation, establishing the legal framework that governs elections—a fundamental aspect of democratic governance. The law's comprehensive coverage of electoral matters, including the roles of various electoral institutions, procedural requirements, and the rights and responsibilities of political actors, reflects the complexity of administering elections in Brazil's federal system. This law also illustrates the relationship between the executive branch (through presidential promulgation) and the legislative bodies involved in the electoral process, including the Chamber of Deputies and Federal Senate. Understanding such specific electoral legislation provides insight into Brazil's legal infrastructure for democratic participation, even during periods of military rule when democratic institutions operated under significant constraints.

## Notable For

- **Electoral Legislation:** One of the specific statutes governing Brazilian electoral procedures in the 1970s
- **Presidential Promulgation:** Enacted by President Ernesto Geisel during Brazil's military government period
- **Comprehensive Scope:** Covers multiple aspects of electoral administration including time limits, registration, competencies, and institutional roles
- **Institutional Coverage:** References key Brazilian electoral bodies including the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) and Brazilian Election Justice system
- **Federal Structure:** Addresses the role of federative units (states) in the electoral process
- **Legal Classification:** Classified as a statute—a formal written legal document that creates law

## Body

### Legislative Context and Purpose

Law No. 6055 of June 17, 1974, officially titled "ESTABELECE NORMAS SOBRE A REALIZAÇÃO DE ELEIÇÕES EM 1974, E DÁ OUTRAS PROVIDÊNCIAS" (Establishes Rules on the Holding of Elections in 1974, and Provides Other Measures), represents a specific legislative enactment within Brazil's electoral legal framework. The law was promulgated on June 17, 1974, by President Ernesto Geisel, who led Brazil during the military dictatorship period from 1974 to 1979. The timing of this legislation corresponds with the 1974 Brazilian legislative elections, which were held during Brazil's military regime—a period characterized by restricted political freedoms and indirect presidential elections.

### Promulgation and Authority

The law was promulgated by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil, with President Ernesto Geisel as the determining authority. The promulgation occurred on June 17, 1974, in Brasília, which had been the capital of Brazil since 1960. The law was published through official government channels and is available through the official website of the Presidency of Brazil at https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1970-1979/l6055.htm. The legal citation for this statute is "Lei nº 6055/1974" and it is identified in the Brazilian legal information system by the LEXML ID: urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-06-17;6055.

### Legal Classification and Structure

As a statute, Law No. 6055/1974 falls within the classification of formal written documents that create law. In the Brazilian legal system, statutes represent the written expression of legal rules enacted by governmental authority. The law is composed of legal norms (normas) and functions as a regulatory instrument within Brazil's broader statutory law framework. The language of the law is Brazilian Portuguese, consistent with the official language of Brazil and the requirements for domestic legislation.

### Institutional Bodies and Competencies

The law references several key Brazilian governmental and electoral institutions. The Brazilian Election Justice (Justiça Electoral) is the overarching system responsible for administering elections in Brazil. The Superior Electoral Court (Tribunal Superior Eleitoral, or TSE) serves as the highest body for electoral matters. The Chamber of Deputies (Câmara dos Deputados) and the Federal Senate of Brazil (Senado Federal) are the two houses of Brazil's National Congress that play roles in the legislative and electoral process. The law addresses the competency (competência) of these various bodies, establishing which institutions hold authority over specific electoral functions.

### Subject Matter and Provisions

Law No. 6055/1974 covers a comprehensive range of electoral and administrative topics. The main subjects addressed include:

- **Time Limits (Prazo):** Provisions establishing deadlines for various electoral procedures
- **Consent and Approval (Aprovação):** Requirements for consent and formal approval of electoral processes
- **Registration (Registro):** Rules governing the registration of candidates, parties, and electoral participants
- **Time Intervals (Período):** Specifications of time periods for different electoral phases
- **Federative Units (Estados):** The role and responsibilities of Brazilian states in electoral administration
- **Civil Servants (Servidor):** Provisions regarding public employees involved in electoral administration
- **Political Parties (Partido Político):** Regulations concerning political party participation in elections
- **Participation (Participação):** Rules about citizen participation in electoral decisions
- **Court Decisions (Julgamento):** Provisions related to judicial decisions in electoral matters
- **Regulations (Regulamento):** Administrative regulations implementing the law's provisions
- **Changes (Alteração):** Modifications to existing electoral laws and procedures
- **Decisions (Fixação):** Establishment of various electoral parameters and rules

### Jurisdiction and Application

Law No. 6055/1974 applies to the entire territory of Brazil, which is the largest country in South America and the fifth-largest nation in the world by area. Brazil operates as a federal republic with a presidential system, and the law functions within this federal structure, addressing the roles of both federal and state-level entities in the electoral process. The law was published in Brasília, reflecting the federal nature of the legislation and the concentration of governmental authority in the federal district.

### Historical Context

The law was enacted during Brazil's military dictatorship (1964-1985), a period when the country was governed by military presidents following the 1964 coup d'état. Ernesto Geisel, who promulgated Law No. 6055/1974, was the fifth military president of Brazil, serving from 1974 to 1979. His presidency marked a period of gradual political liberalization known as the "distensão" (distension), which included some easing of restrictions on political activity. The 1974 elections occurred during this transitional period, and the law represents the legal framework governing those electoral processes.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-06-17;6055)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=6055&ano=1974&data=17/06/1974&ato=8deMzYU5kenRVT35e)
3. LexML Brasil