Brazil will hold a runoff between presidential canidates Dilma Rousseff and Jose Serra as neither of them won an absolute majority in Sunday's presidential election, the country's top court said.

 
Both candidates are already planning their strategies for the runoff scheduled on Oct. 31.

Rousseff, the ruling Workers' Party candidate strongly favored by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, received 46.88 percent of the votes, while Serra grabbed 32.62 percent. Green Party's candidate Marina Silva came in third with 19.34 percent and all other candidates received a total of 1.15 percent of the votes.

Rousseff told reporters that the runoff contest would be a special moment in her life and she promised to face it with vigor and intensified campaigning.

"In the second round, I will have the opportunity to present my proposals in a more detailed manner, to present my projects for the eradication of the poverty and for the development, to ensure Brazil elevated growth rates," she said.

She reiterated that her goal is to make sure that all 190 million Brazilians benefit from the country' s wealth.

Serra, for his part, said he was pleased with Sunday's outcome, but not surprised with the results. He thanked supporters with a pledge to step up campaigning efforts.

"I want to renew my commitment with the Brazilian people: the commitment to work for a strong and generous Brazil, to work for a Brazil with more security and less poverty, to rule Brazil with respect, dignity and devotion to the democratic institutions," he said.

However, the biggest surprise of the day was Silva. It was the Green Party candidate's fast rise over the past month that eventually led to a runoff. Results show some former supporters of Rousseff cast their ballots for Silva.

Thus the preference of her supporters would be a decisive factor in the runoff.

Silva issued in a statement just after the runoff was confirmed, in which she said the Green Party will discuss who to support in the next stage of the elections. In some states such as Rio, the party was sided with the opposition.

She said she was glad to see that there will be a second round and urged Rousseff and Serra to use the opportunity to present their plans for Brazil.

"Even though we did not go to the runoff, Brazil will have a runoff to think twice. And whoever emerges (victorious) from the second round, will emerge strengthened, more legitimated," she said.

"I want to congratulate Minister Dilma Rousseff and Governor Jose Serra. Let them do justice to this second chance that Brazil is giving them to discuss what really matters: Brazil's future, Brazil's present, and Brazil's past," she said.

Campaigning for the runoff officially starts Wednesday.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet