Brasilia, September 4 (PL-RHC) -- In the midst of an intense election campaign marked by criticism of presidential candidate Marina Silva, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff appears with 37 percent in voter preference.

The latest poll results released by research company IBOPE Wednesday shows that Rousseff has surpassed Silva, the candidate of the Socialist Party (PSB), who now has 33 percent of voter support.

The sudden surge in support for Rousseff was due to solid backing in the last seven days from municipalities on the outskirts of cities.  Her opponent Silva, meanwhile, garnered more support from the southern region of the country, especially among the electorate of middle and upper class, which previously offered their vote to Senator Aécio Neves from the Brazilian Social Democracy (PSDB).

During a tour earlier this week of Sao Bernardo, the industrial zone of Sao Paulo, Rousseff warned that Silva's promise, if elected, to provide full autonomy to the Central Bank will cause problems in raising funds in the industrial sector, in other productive areas and result in more unemployment.