A new opinion poll released in Peru shows that leftist former army officer Ollanta Humala is leading the daughter of imprisoned former president Alberto Fujimori ahead of a run-off election scheduled for June 5.
The survey, published Sunday in El Comercio newspaper, says Humala has 42 percent of voter support, while Fujimori's daughter, Keiko Fujimori, has 36 percent. About1,800 people were questioned for the poll, which was conducted between April 16 and 21 and had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.3 percent.
The survey results caused Peru's stock market to drop 3.3 percent. Peru's currency, the sol, also fell on the news.
Humala won 32 percent of the vote in the first round of balloting on April 10, short of the 50 percent margin needed to win the election outright. Fujimori took 24 percent of the vote.
Analysts say many Peruvians question Humala's and Fujimori's credentials on human rights and see them as a threat to the democratic system.
Humala, who led an uprising against Fujimori's father in 2000, lost a run-off 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.
Some Peruvians distrust Fujimori because of her father, who is serving a 25-year prison sentence for his role in death squad killings in the 1990s. Alberto Fujimori also has been convicted of corruption. There has been concern that his daughter would try to free him if elected.
Keiko Fujimori has apologized for mistakes and crimes committed while her father was in office. The older Fujimori was Peru's president from 1990 until 2000.
Much of the presidential campaign has focused on continuing the rapid economic growth seen in recent years, while ensuring that the poor also see some of the increased prosperity.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
