Lula holds slim lead over Flavio Bolsonaro ahead of Brazil election

A new poll shows Lula leading Bolsonaro, but the gap has closed ahead of Brazil's high-stakes presidential election.

SAO PAULO, Aug 14 - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva continues to lead Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, although the right-wing challenger has narrowed the gap with the leftist incumbent ahead of October's election, a Quaest poll showed on Friday.

Forged party sign-ups using real personal data have dragged in Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro, pushing Brazil's electoral court to freeze new memberships days before the candidate deadline.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva holds an 8.9-point lead over Senator Flávio Bolsonaro in a potential runoff, according to the CNT/MDA poll released on Tuesday. The gap stood at 12.5 points in the June survey.