Left-wing presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador took a narrow lead of 2.04 points in the recount of Mexico's presidential election vote, according to the latest data from the Federal Election Agency (IFE).

Some 79.52 percent of the ballot of Sunday's election had been recounted until 7:01 PM local time on Wednesday(01:01GMT Thursday), said the IFE.

Lopez Obrador, candidate for the Revolutionary Democratic Party (PRD) gained 36.7 percent of the votes, while his closest rival, Felipe Calderon of the ruling conservative National Action Party, had 34.66 percent.

The IFE said it was still too early to declare the victor.

The initial preliminary results earlier this week had given Calderon a lead of 0.6 points, but Lopez Obrador's party accused election officials of fraud and demanded a recount.

The extremely close vote raised fears of a political crisis if any of the main candidates challenges the results and calls for street protests.

Reports here said the country could face days or weeks of legal wrangling and protests similar to the fight that followed the US presidential election in 2000. The Mexican stock index has declined and the country's currency peso also fallen against the US dollar due to the tension.

By law, the Mexican electoral court has to rule on vote disputes by the end of August and announce a winner by Sept. 6. The winner will be sworn in on Dec. 1, taking power from outgoing President Vicente Fox.

Former mayor of the capital Lopez Obrador promises to raise millions out of poverty by slashing spending on government bureaucracy, expanding welfare programs and cutting energy prices.

Harvard-educated Calderon pledges to reduce crime, extend government health and service programs, create jobs and continue the prudent fiscal policies carried out by Fox.

(Xinhua News Agency July 6, 2006)