Rousseff Takes Early Lead in Brazil Election
VOA News 03 October 2010
The ruling party candidate took an early lead in Brazil's presidential election Sunday but was shy of the majority of votes needed to avoid a second-round election.
A nationwide exit poll showed Dilma Rousseff had 51 percent to the votes, compared to 30 percent for opposition candidate Jose Serra, but the margin of error was plus or minus 2 percentage points.
A candidate must win a majority of the vote to avoid heading into a October 31 runoff vote with the second-place finisher.
Ms. Rousseff is a former chief of staff of outgoing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and also his preferred successor.
If elected, Ms. Rousseff will be Brazil's first female president.
Brazil's economy has remained strong under Mr. da Silva, despite the world-wide recession. Mr. da Silva was barred from running for president again because he has served the maximum two consecutive terms.
Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.
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