Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva makes the sign of 'Lula' after voting in Sao Bernardo do Campo, Oct. 1, 2006

A new public opinion poll shows Brazil's president widening his lead in the run-off election for another term.

Polling data shows support for President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at 56 percent against rival Geraldo Alckmin's whose support is at 44 percent.

Support for President Lula rose two percent from a poll late last week, while his opponent's ratings slipped two percent.

The poll, published by a Sao Paulo newspaper Folha de S. Paulo, is the first survey of voter sentiment following Sunday's nationally televised public debate.

President Lula failed to win an outright victory on October 1 in the first round of voting, capturing 48.6 percent of the vote. Mr. Alckmin, the Social Democracy Party's candidate, won 41.6 percent of the vote.

The run-off election is scheduled for October 29.