JP\/5\/POLL<\/p>\n
Polling on leadership candidates flourishes in Riau Islands<\/p>\n
Fadli
\nThe Jakarta Post\/Batam<\/p>\n
Polling and survey institutions are busy as the date for the Riau
\nIslands regional elections draws nearer, with many candidates
\npaying big money to find out how they are faring and what voters
\nare thinking.<\/p>\n
Professional survey institutes, along with newspapers and
\nlocal television stations are carrying out the polls, and some of
\nthe results are likely to be published soon.<\/p>\n
Others, however, will remain secret; as part of the campaign
\nstrategy for the politicians vying for the positions of governor,
\nmayors and regents in June.<\/p>\n
Lukman Nur Sahid, an independent poller and survey organizer,
\ntold The Jakarta Post many candidates had asked him to conduct
\nsurveys to learn about their levels of popularity.<\/p>\n
His surveys polled voters about the candidates' popularity and
\nresearched voter behavior.<\/p>\n
Lukman said he charged Rp 100 million (US$11,000) for
\nconducting surveys at the regental and municipal level and Rp 500
\nmillion for the provincial level. He declined to mention names of
\nthe gubernatorial and mayoral candidates who were using his
\nservices.<\/p>\n
His surveys polled a random sample of voters about each
\ncandidate's popularity and asked them to name the candidate they
\nconsidered the best qualified to become the next mayor, regent or
\ngovernor.<\/p>\n
"The surveys are similar to those done by President Susilo
\nBambang Yudhoyono before his presidential bid. The last
\npresidential surveys have inspired candidates at the regional
\nlevel to do the same thing; to justify their capacity and
\ncredibility, " Lukman said.<\/p>\n
He said his clients could not interfere with the polling and
\nwere unlikely to want to. The results would be for the eyes of
\ntheir campaign teams only, helping them to design election
\nstrategy and know what to expect.<\/p>\n
"If the results are good and fit to be publicized to bolster
\ntheir images, then it will be done. But it will also depend on
\nour suggestions," Lukman said.<\/p>\n
One of the candidates, Riau Islands acting governor Ismeth
\nAbdullah, has admitted to carrying out pre-election polling and
\nsays he has had a research institution conduct a survey about his
\nprospects for the post.<\/p>\n
Ismeth, who is also chairman of the Batam Authority Board,
\nsaid those conducting the polls provided vital information for
\ncontestants.<\/p>\n
"Those doing the survey are our friends too. It important to
\nknow how credible I am as a gubernatorial candidate. If I'm not
\nelected, I'll just pack my bags for Jakarta," he said and
\nlaughed.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp5poll-1447899208",
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