José Francisco Peña Gómez and Leonel Fernández, presidential candidates of the PRD and the PLD, appear almost tied at 38.8% and 38.1%, according to the latest poll by the Global Strategy Group. The survey has been contracted by the PLD and was carried out from 1-7 March interviewing 1,300 potential voters. Jacinto Peynado, presidential candidate of the PRSC, came in third place with 16.7%. Some 6.4% are recorded as undecided.
In the case of a second round of voting if no candidate received 50%+1 of the vote in the first, Leonel Fernández would win with 58.9% of the vote, while Peña Gómez would come second with 41.1%.
The survey showed that Dr Peña has most of his support in the 45-59 age group, where 51.3% favor him. Leonel Fernández is strongest among the 18 to 24 year olds, with 40.3% of the vote, versus 37.5% for Dr Peña Gómez and 15.7% for Jacinto Peynado.
In the 25 to 34 year age bracket, Leonel Fernández is first with 41.6% of the vote, followed by Dr Peña with 40.1% and Jacinto Peynado with 11.2%.
Dr Peña leads with 35-44 year olds with 39.1%, against the 38.6% of Leonel Fernández and the 15.9% of Jacinto Peynado.
Peña Gómez also received the largest percentage points among those of 60 or more years, with 38.4%.
The men favor Dr Peña with 39.5%, against 37.3% for Leonel with the women favoring the former with 40.3% against 37% for the latter.