President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's lead over challenger Flávio Bolsonaro has narrowed ahead of Brazil's October presidential election, according to a new Quaest poll released Friday. In a simulated second-round runoff, Lula holds 43% support compared to Bolsonaro's 40%. This represents a tightening from a previous Quaest poll on August 5, which showed Lula leading 44% to 39%.

The current figures are considered a virtual tie, given the poll's two-percentage-point margin of error. In a first-round scenario, Lula leads with 38% of the votes, followed by Bolsonaro with 31%. Other candidates include Renan Santos (4%), Ronaldo Caiado (4%), and Romeu Zema (2%).

Flávio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, is gaining ground as the election approaches. If no candidate secures over 50% of valid votes in the first round, the top two contenders will proceed to a runoff election.