Chamber of Deputies plenary during a session vote

Plenary of the Chamber of Deputies during a morning vote session, with deputies debating and electronic panel showing results.

About this subject

The plenary of the Chamber of Deputies is the main deliberative space of the Brazilian federal legislative branch, located in the National Congress Palace in Brasília. Designed by Oscar Niemeyer, the Ulysses Guimarães plenary hall seats 513 federal deputies, elected for four-year terms. During voting sessions, parliamentarians occupy the semicircular benches, while the President of the Chamber conducts proceedings from the high dais. The electronic panel, installed in 1995, records each vote individually and displays results in real time, ensuring transparency in the legislative process.

Morning votes are common on days with heavy agendas, when there is a need to consider provisional measures, bills, or requests. The internal rules of the Chamber establish a minimum quorum of 257 deputies for ordinary deliberations, and the voting system can be symbolic (by voice) or nominal (by panel). In nominal votes, each deputy presses a green button (yes), red (no), or yellow (abstention), and the panel instantly records each party's position.

The plenary structure reflects Brazilian political history. Inaugurated in 1960, the space has been the stage for decisive moments, such as the approval of the 1988 Constitution, the impeachment of Fernando Collor in 1992, and the admission of Dilma Rousseff's impeachment in 2016. The plenary's acoustics are designed to amplify speakers' voices, and the upper galleries hold up to 300 visitors, who can follow sessions live. Broadcasts of votes by TV Câmara and YouTube bring citizens closer to legislative work.

Curiosities: the plenary covers 1,200 m² and its ceiling is a reinforced concrete dome 30 meters high. The official name, Ulysses Guimarães, honors the constituent deputy who presided over the 1987-1988 National Constituent Assembly. On important voting days, the plenary is packed and the side corridors fill with aides and journalists.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many federal deputies make up the Chamber plenary?

The Chamber of Deputies plenary has seats for 513 federal deputies, elected proportionally to the population of each state and the Federal District, with a four-year term.

How does the electronic voting panel work?

Each deputy has a terminal with green (yes), red (no), and yellow (abstention) buttons. When pressed, the vote is instantly recorded on the central panel, which displays the partial and final result of the vote.

Is the plenary open to public visitation?

Yes, the upper galleries of the plenary are open to the public during sessions, by appointment or on a first-come basis. It is also possible to follow votes live on TV Câmara and the official YouTube channel.