Rio de Janeiro:Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is gaining support in two major electoral states, while Senator Flavio Bolsonaro is strengthening his position in Rio de Janeiro, based on Quaest polls released Wednesday.

According to Anadolu Agency, these polls were reported by Brazilian media just 11 days before the October 4 presidential election. Both Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro are concentrating their campaigns in the Southeast, which is home to the largest concentration of voters in the country.

The polls highlight regional differences in the presidential race. Lula maintains a strong position in the Northeast, while Flavio leads in Rio de Janeiro. The two candidates are closely matched in key electoral battlegrounds such as Minas Gerais and Sao Paulo.

In Minas Gerais, Lula's support increased to 35% from 31% in a first-round scenario, while Flavio Bolsonaro rose from 27% to 30%. In a potential second round, the candidates are tied at 40%.

Sao Paulo shows a competitive race as well, with Flavio rising from 31% to 34% in the first round, and Lula increasing by one point to 31%, placing them within the poll's two-point margin of error. In a potential second round in Sao Paulo, Flavio holds 42%, while Lula improved from 33% to 36%.

In Rio de Janeiro, Flavio increased his first-round support from 34% to 37%, while Lula's support fell from 32% to 30%. In a potential second round, Flavio leads with 44% against Lula's 36%.

Public approval of Lula's government also saw a slight increase, rising from 41% in August to 44%, while disapproval decreased from 52% to 49%.

Lula, 80, is seeking a fourth non-consecutive term, having previously served as president from 2003 to 2010 and returning to office in 2023 after defeating Jair Bolsonaro in the 2022 election. Flavio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro and a senator from Rio de Janeiro, has emerged as Lula's main challenger. Flavio launched his presidential campaign in July with the backing of his father, who is barred from running for office.

Brazil's first round of the presidential election will take place on October 4. A second round is scheduled for October 25 if no candidate receives more than half of the valid votes.