BRASILIA, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's main presidential candidates on Wednesday said the possibility of a second electoral round remains open, following the disclosure of a new poll.
With less than three weeks remaining before the Oct. 7 elections, the Ibope Institute released a new poll of likely voters.
It showed Jair Bolsonaro of the right-wing Social Liberal Party (PSL) with 28 percent; followed by Fernando Haddad of the Workers' Party (PT) with 19 percent.
Ciro Gomes, of the Democratic Labor Party (PDT) was third with 11 percent; Geraldo Alckmin of the Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB) with 7 percent and Marina Silva of the Sustainability Network Party had 6 percent.
Bolsonaro also leads in voter dissatisfaction with 42 percent followed by Haddad at 29 percent, Silva 26 percent, Alckmin 20 percent and Gomes 19 percent.
Gomes said the poll only reflects the sentiment of the moment, and he is continuing to campaign hard.
"The country can no longer take the PT's polarization bomb," he said.
For his part, Alckmin reacted to the poll suggesting that the PT is already assured a spot in a second round.
"I see the candidate's curve (Haddad) is a curve that is moving upward, (Bolsonaro's curve) is not at the top and he will have a tendency to fall," Alckmin said.
Silva said the first round is "to vote for your dream candidate" while looking for the useful vote.
Others consider that it is premature to say the electorate is lining up with the possibility of a contest between Bolsonaro and Haddad.
Candidate Alvaro Dias of the Podemos Party, said he would not withdraw from the race in order to support a rival candidate and "will continue until the last minute with his party with the hope of reaching the second round."
