A new poll in Peru shows that conservative candidate Keiko Fujimori now has a slight lead over leftist former army officer Ollanta Humala with one month to go before runoff presidential elections.
The poll, released Monday, gives Fujimori 41 percent of voter support, compared with 39 percent for Humala. The runoff takes place June 5.
In the first round of balloting last month, Humala won 32 percent of the vote, falling short of the 50 percent margin needed for an outright win. Fujimori took 24 percent.
Fujimori is the daughter of imprisoned former president Alberto Fujimori, who is serving a 25-year prison sentence for his role in death squad killings in the 1990s. There has been much concern that his daughter would try to free him if elected. Keiko Fujimori has apologized for mistakes and crimes committed while her father held office. He was president from 1990 until 2000.
Humala, who led an uprising against Alberto Fujimori in 2000, lost a runoff election to current President Alan Garcia in 2006. Humala was outspoken during that campaign about his admiration for Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, but has since distanced himself from the leftist leader.
Much of the presidential campaign has focused on continuing the rapid economic growth of recent years, while ensuring that the poor also see some of the increased prosperity.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.