A new Datafolha poll released Friday showed Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva maintaining a narrow numerical lead over Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, ahead of the October presidential election.

In a simulated runoff, Lula received 46 percent of the vote compared to 44 percent for Flavio Bolsonaro. The results were unchanged from the previous Datafolha survey conducted last week. The poll surveyed 2,002 people between September 8 and 10 and carries a margin of error of two percentage points.

In a first-round scenario, Lula led with 39 percent, followed by Flavio Bolsonaro at 35 percent. Other candidates included Augusto Cury with 6 percent and Ronaldo Caiado with 4 percent. In the prior poll, Lula stood at 38 percent and Flavio Bolsonaro at 33 percent in the opening round.

Brazilian voters head to the polls on October 4 for the first round. If no candidate secures more than 50 percent of valid votes, the top two advance to a runoff on October 25, a pattern seen in every presidential election since 2002.

The survey comes amid a tightening race between the leftist incumbent and the right-wing challenger. Other recent polls have shown the contest statistically tied or even favoring Flavio Bolsonaro in some runoff simulations.

Lula's support has faced headwinds from broader concerns over government performance and institutional issues in Brazil. The Datafolha results underscore the competitive nature of the contest as the election draws near.