Bapesp doubles Rui's points, but Souto has 40%.

A controversial poll highlights the rise of Workers' Party (PT) candidate Rui Costa, who jumped from 8% (Ibope poll) to 16% in two weeks according to the Bapesp institute's poll; he even surpassed Senator Lídice da Mata (PSB), who had 13% in the Ibope poll and maintains that number. However, Paulo Souto, of the DEM party, leads in all scenarios of the poll; in the prompted poll, he has 40%, a drop of two points compared to the Ibope poll from two weeks ago.

August 13, 2014, 20:07 PMUpdated May 27, 2019, 10:41 AM

A controversial poll draws attention to the rise of PT candidate Rui Costa, who, in two weeks, jumped from 8% (Ibope poll) to 16% in the Bapesp institute's poll; he even surpasses Senator Lídice da Mata (PSB), who had 13% in the Ibope poll and maintains that number now; however, Paulo Souto, from DEM, leads in all scenarios of the poll; in the stimulated poll, he has 40%; he fell two points compared to the Ibope poll from two weeks ago (Photo: Romulo Faro)

Bahia 247 - Surrounded by controversy even before it began, a survey by the Bahia Research and Statistics Institute (Bapesp), also called 'DataNilo' in reference to the president of the Legislative Assembly of Bahia, deputy Marcelo Nilo (PDT), points to candidate Paulo Souto, from DEM, as the absolute leader in the race for governor of the state, with 40% of voting intentions.

Compared to the Ibope poll released two weeks ago, Souto maintains his average score, although he dropped from 42% to 40%. These figures refer to the prompted response method, where the interviewer presents the candidates' names.

What's most striking is the rise of PT candidate Rui Costa. In all polls conducted since the pre-election period, the PT candidate never exceeded 9%. In the last one, by Ibope, he appeared with 8%. In the 'DataNilo' survey, however, he makes an impressive jump (in two weeks) to 16%. He even surpasses Senator Lídice da Mata, who had 13% in the Ibope poll and maintains that number in the Bapesp poll.

Marcos Mendes (PSOL) has 2%. Rogério Da Luz and Renata Mallet have 1% each. 18% didn't know, and blank and null votes total 11%.

The coalitions of Paulo Souto and Lídice da Mata even requested the annulment of the poll released late last night (12), registered under number BA-00008/2014 at the Superior Electoral Court (TSE). But the court denied the request. Opponents claim that the questionnaire model leads voters to choose Rui Costa.

The first Bapesp poll was banned from publication by the Electoral Court a month ago. The action was brought by the DEM coalition.

In the spontaneous poll, where candidates are not presented, Paulo Souto also wins, with 6,95% of voting intentions. Rui Costa (PT) has 2,25%, compared to 0,6% for Lídice da Mata.

The most controversial part of the research is where the endorsements of the candidates' political godfathers appear, such as former president Lula and president Dilma, with Rui Costa; and mayor ACM Neto (DEM) and PSDB presidential candidate Aécio Neves, with Paulo Souto (DEM).

In this scenario, Souto is also in the lead, with 38% of voting intentions. Rui Costa (PT) once again appears in second place, but with a much higher score: 28%. Lídice da Mata (PSB), with the support of the deceased Eduardo Campos, former PSB candidate, who passed away today (13), appears in third place, with 11%.

11% don't know. Blank and null votes total 10%. Marcos Mendes (PSOL), with the support of Luciana Genro, registers 1%. Da Luz, with Levy Fidélix, both from PRTB; and Renata Mallet with the support of Zé Maria (PSTU) each total less than 1%.

The survey interviewed two thousand people between August 5th and 11th, in 84 cities in Bahia.