Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (pictured) and right-wing Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro are each polling 41% in a potential runoff election. Photo by Sebastiao Moreira/EPA
March 12 (UPI) -- Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and right-wing Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro are tied for the first time for a potential runoff after the Oct. 4 presidential election, according to a poll released Wednesday. A runoff would be Oct. 25.
The survey found each candidate with 41% support in a hypothetical second round.
Bolsonaro, a member of the Liberal Party and son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, leads among voters who identify as independent, a shift that could give him an edge.
Among independents, Bolsonaro gained 6 percentage points and would lead Lula 32% to 27% in a runoff scenario. Another 36% said they would not vote and 5% were undecided.
