MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Woman leads opinion polls in Peruvian election

With just over a month for the Peruvian presidential election (April 9), the latest public opinion poll shows former Congress member Conservative Lourdes Flores leading with 25% vote intention followed by ultra nationalist Ollanta Humala five points behind.

The poll undertaken by the University of Lima last week, has former president Alan García from APRA in third position with 15.3% of the vote, "if elections were held (Sunday) March 2".

The latest poll confirms the candidates ranking although differs considerably from others in the support percentages.

Earlier in the week the Catholic University released another opinion poll showing Ms. Flores with 35% of vote intention; Humala with 25% and García 18%.

In the event of a second round, according to the University of Lima poll, Ms. Flores from Alliance National Unity would defeat Humala, Union for Peru 49.6% to 33.3% and if the run off was to be with Alan García, she would also prevail, 52.2% to 27.1%.

Other presidential candidates include former president Valentin Paniagua with 6.4% and Martha Chavez, who is running as front candidate for former president Alberto Fujimori, currently retained in Chile awaiting extradition procedures, 3.6%.

However there could be surprises at Congressional level since National Unity (Flores) and the APRA (Garcia) are running neck to neck, 14.8% and 14.7%, with Mr. Paniagua' party taking 6.9% and Unity for Peru 6.5%.

Mr. Garcia who ruled Peru from 1985 to 1990 has strong grass roots support from the APRA which is a long established workers/peasants party and is well organized in most of the country.

Another public opinion poll "Apoyo" released by America Television showed that 58% of Peruvians have already decided who they are going to vote.

But among the undecided, 46% apparently will be making their choice on ballot day.