Travellers in Brazil on Sunday should allow extra time, as election day brings changes to road and public transport conditions across the country.

Brazil’s first-round vote is an unusually large mobility event, with 158.7 million people eligible to vote between 08:00 and 17:00 Brasilia time. Germany’s Federal Foreign Office warns that election-related gatherings can develop quickly and cause traffic disruption, blockades or confrontations.

Brazil’s Federal Highway Police is restricting oversized vehicles on federal highways between 07:00 and 18:00 on October 4 and 25 to prioritise voter mobility. Travellers should expect possible public-transport restrictions near government buildings and major public squares.

Visitors using airports, long-distance buses, private transfers or rental cars should build flexibility into their plans, especially in major metropolitan areas like Brasilia, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Why it matters: a little planning goes a long way on a day when the whole country is on the move.