Chapter II - the executive power section I - the president and the vice president of the republic

Article 76. The Executive Power is exercised by the President of the Republic, assisted by the Ministers of State.  Article 77.  The election of the President and Vice-President of the Republic shall take place simultaneously, on the first Sunday of October, in the first round, and on the last Sunday of October, in the second round, as the case may be, of the year preceding the one in which the current presidential term of office ends.

Article 77 amended by CA 16, June 4th 1997. This Amendment instituted the possibility of re-election of the President and, as far as this article is concerned, changed the dates of elections. See article 14, paragraph 5. 

Paragraph 1. The election of the President of the Republic shall imply the election of the Vice-President registered with him.  Paragraph 2 - The candidate who, being registered by a political party, obtains an absolute majority of votes, not counting blank or void votes, shall be considered elected President.  Paragraph 3 - If no candidate attains an absolute majority in the first voting, another election shall be held within twenty days from the announcement of the results, the competition being between the two candidates with the highest number of votes, and being considered elected the candidate with the majority of valid votes.  Paragraph 4 - Should one of the candidates, before the second round of voting is held, die, withdraw or become legally impaired, the candidate with the highest number of votes among the remaining candidates shall be called. Paragraph 5 - If in the event of the preceding paragraphs, more than one candidate with an equal number of votes remain in second place, the eldest one shall qualify.  Article 78. The President and the Vice-President of the Republic shall take office in a session of the National Congress, pledging to maintain, defend and carry out the Constitution, obey the laws, promote the general well-being of the Brazilian people, sustain the union, the integrity and the independence of Brazil.  Sole paragraph - In the event that, after ten days from the date scheduled for the inauguration, the President or the Vice-President, except by reason of force majeure has not taken office. the office shall be declared vacant.  Article 79. The Vice-President shall replace the President in the event of impediment and shall succeed him in the event of vacancy.  Sole paragraph - In addition to other duties attributed to him by a supplementary law, the Vice-President shall assist the President whenever summoned by him for special missions.  Article 80. In the event of impediment of the President and of the Vice- President or of vacancy of the respective offices, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, the President of the Senate and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Federal Court shall be called successively to exercise the Presidency.  Article 81. In the event of vacancy of the offices of President and Vice-President of the Republic, elections shall be held ninety days after the occurrence of the last vacancy.  Paragraph 1 - If the vacancy occurs during the last two years of the President's term of office, the National Congress shall hold elections for both offices thirty days after the last vacancy. as established bv law.  Paragraph 2 - In any of the cases, those elected shall complete the term of office of their predecessors.  Article 82. The term of office of the President of the Republic is four years, and it shall commence on January 1 of the year following the year of his election.

Article 82 amended by CA 16, June 4th 1997. See article 14, paragraph 5. 

Article 83. The President and the Vice-President of the Republic may not, without authorization from the National Congress, leave the country for a period of more than fifteen days, subject to loss of office.