Votes Left by Agus-Sylvi Supporters Not Too Significant: Analyst
23 February 2017 13:26 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Political observer from State Islamic University (UIN) Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Pangi Syarwi Chaniago, argues that the votes left behind by Agus-Sylvi supporters would not significantly increase the electability of the remaining candidates, Ahok-Djarot and Anies-Sandiaga. “The support [left behind for] the second phase will not be too significant,” Pangi said on Wednesday, February 22, 2017.
Agus-Sylvi was endorsed by PAN, PPP, PKB, and Democratic Party. According to Pangi, the time available heading towards the second phase of elections would be too short, which falls on April 19, 2017. The newly joined political parties will not have the time to warm-up their propaganda machine.
Pangi said that the endorsement from political parties formerly supporting Agus-Sylviana will only benefit in the long term. For example, according to Pangi, it will be useful to carry-forward certain work programs in a meeting with Regional Leadership Councils (DPR-D). “The more support in DPRD will surely ease the approval of the program.”
The element that could increase the electability of the candidates during the second phase is the figure of the candidate themselves. They must be able, according to Pangi, to utilize issues that are logical and accepted by the public.
Despite this, leader of Anies-Sandiaga campaign team, Muhammad Taufik, is certain that the support left behind from Agus-Sylviana can be a magnet to increase Anies-Sandiaga’s electability. “This can be our new fortitude,” Taufik said.
Similar sentiments were also issued by Ahok-Djarot’s campaign team. According to their spokesperson, Bestari Barus, the team is currently intensively communicating with the party’s central leadership of Agus-Sylviana. “We [communicate] directly to central,” He says.
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