Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva maintained his lead over right-wing challenger Jair Bolsonaro ahead of Brazil's October election, according to a new poll released on August 21, 2026.

The poll, conducted by Datafolha, shows Lula leading Bolsonaro 47% to 43% in a potential runoff scenario, representing a slight decrease from his 48%-43% advantage recorded in July. The shift falls within the poll's margin of error, indicating statistical parity between the two candidates.

With six weeks remaining before the election, both candidates have intensified their campaign activities. Lula spoke at a campaign rally in São Paulo on August 16, continuing his outreach efforts across key electoral battlegrounds in the country.

The tightening race reflects the deeply polarized political landscape in Brazil, where voters remain divided between Lula's left-leaning agenda and Bolsonaro's conservative platform.