TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta-based Lingkaran Survei Indonesia Adjie Alfaraby said that the voters of candidate pair Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono and Sylviana Murni are likely to switch to Anies Baswedan and Sandiaga Uno pair in the second round of Jakarta gubernatorial election, citing similar characteristics of voters.

The view was shared by Philips Joseph Vermonte, a political observer with the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). He said that even on the election day, some of Agus’ voters voted for Anies. “Anies garnered more votes from Agus’ voters, aside from being good at debates,” he said.

On Agus’ poor results, Philips named Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s public appearance ahead of the election day. The Democratic Party chairman had earlier made public appearances to clarify negative rumors about himself, ranging from blasphemy trial to allegations over former anti-graft czar Antasari Azhar’s criminalization.

The issues had resulted in a negative perception of Agus. He said that voters had reconsidered Agus’ independence if being named governor. “They would be confused. Who was the governor: Agus or SBY? Because SBY had been more dominant,” he said.

Ahmad Riza Patria, a top official of the Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party, who endorses Anies-Sandi candidate pair, said that the party may coalesce with the endorsers of Agus-Sylvi pair ahead of the run-off.

DESTRIANITA | FRISKI RIANA