Washington, Aug. 10 (ANI): U.S. President Barack Obama is ahead of Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney by a seven-point margin, 52 percent to 45 percent, ahead of the November elections, a new poll has found.

According to the CNN/ORC International Poll, almost 52 percent of Americans said that they would prefer to re-elect Obama, while only 45 percent backed Romney.

Among independent voters, the poll indicates President Obama has a 53 percent-42 percent lead, CNN Polling Director Keating Holland said.

The president holds a nine point advantage among women voters and a smaller six point edge among men, Politico quoted Holland, as saying.

Among Independents, the poll indicates 'Romney's image has taken a beating'.

In May, only 40 percent of Independents had an unfavorable view of Romney. Now, 52 percent of Independents have a negative view of him, according to the poll.

The poll found that almost 64 percent of Americans and 68 percent Independents think that Romney favoured the rich over the middle class.

The poll also found that 63 percent of Americans think that Romney should release more of his tax returns than he has already made public. (ANI)