Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro are tied in a potential second-round presidential runoff, according to a new Datafolha poll released on Saturday, highlighting an increasingly competitive race ahead of Brazil’s October election.
The survey showed both Lula and Bolsonaro receiving 45 percent support in a head-to-head contest, while 9 percent of respondents said they would cast null ballots and 1 percent remained undecided.
The poll of 2,004 voters was conducted on May 12 and 13.
In the first-round scenario, Lula secured 38 percent support, while Bolsonaro received 35 percent, placing him in second position.
Lula, 80, is seeking a fourth nonconsecutive presidential term after previously serving from 2003 to 2011.
The latest survey reflected a continued narrowing of the gap between Lula and Bolsonaro after Lula had maintained a wider lead late last year.
Flavio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, has campaigned on continuing his father’s political legacy and pledged to seek his release if elected.
Jair Bolsonaro is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence over accusations linked to an alleged coup plot following the 2022 election.
Recent scrutiny surrounding Flavio Bolsonaro’s campaign emerged after Intercept Brasil reported leaked WhatsApp exchanges involving former banker Daniel Vorcaro.
According to the report, Bolsonaro allegedly sought financing from Vorcaro for a film about his father’s life titled Dark Horse.
The report alleged that Vorcaro pledged 134 million reais, or approximately $26.5 million, toward the film project.
Vorcaro is imprisoned amid an investigation connected to the collapse of Banco Master.
Flavio Bolsonaro acknowledged contacting Vorcaro for financing but denied wrongdoing or links to any alleged fraud scheme.
Left-wing lawmakers have since called for an investigation into the matter.
Most interviews for the Datafolha poll were conducted before the allegations gained broader public attention.