Voters disregard ideology in elections: Survey<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
A recent survey found that the public will not take ideology into
\nconsideration when they choose their preferred political parties
\nor presidential candidate in the elections next year.<\/p>\n
The survey, conducted by Soegeng Sarjadi Syndicated (SSS),
\nfound that candidates with a \"nationalist\" orientation and
\n\"Islamic\" candidates stood an equal chance of winning the
\nelections.<\/p>\n
Of the 5,000 respondents, 45.06 percent of them said they
\nwould vote for nationalist candidates, 44.38 percent for
\ncandidates from Islamic parties and 10.56 percent had no
\npreference.<\/p>\n
In the general election, 46.40 percent said they would vote
\nfor a nationalist party, 43.14 percent vote for an Islamic party
\nand 10.46 percent were undecided.<\/p>\n
\"This means politicians from any ideology are acceptable. I am
\noptimistic there will be no clashes between supporters of rival
\nparties,\" said J. Kristiadi from the Centre for Strategic and
\nInternational Studies (CSIS) here on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The survey was conducted in 19 cities and 14 regencies in 15
\nprovinces through face-to-face interviews. It was designed to
\nmeasure the strength of Islamic and nationalist political parties
\ncontesting the elections next year.<\/p>\n
Interviews were conducted between Nov. 10 and Nov. 22 using
\nstratified random sampling.<\/p>\n
Marcus Meitzner from the Australian National University (ANU)
\nagreed with Kristiadi, saying the slight margin between those
\nsupporting Islamic and nationalist parties would spark conflict
\nonly if both groups were homogeneous.<\/p>\n
In the case of Indonesia, he said, each group is quite
\nheterogeneous, therefore the chance of a conflict is remote.<\/p>\n
\"This means that polarization between Islamic and nationalist
\nparties will not happen,\" he said.<\/p>\n
SSS executive director Sukardi Rinakit said the survey found
\nvoters' preferences were much the same as they were in the first
\ngeneral election in 1955.<\/p>\n
The survey also found that the majority of respondents (52.06
\npercent) believed the elections would bring better conditions to
\nthe country, compared to 41.64 percent said they would not.<\/p>\n
Respondents who were optimistic said the direct presidential
\nelection would help the nation establish a more legitimate
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
They also believed the direct presidential election would
\nensure security and political stability.<\/p>\n
No. Figures Ideology Support (%)<\/p>\n
1. Megawati Soekarnoputri Nationalist 30.10<\/p>\n
2. Sultan Hamengku Buwono Nationalist 7.14<\/p>\n
3. Susilo B. Yudhoyono Nationalist 5.20<\/p>\n
4. Wiranto Nationalist 2.18<\/p>\n
5. Other nationalist figures 0.44<\/p>\n
6. Amien Rais Islamic 28.16<\/p>\n
7. Nurcholish Madjid Islamic 15.84<\/p>\n
8. Other Islamic figures 0.38<\/p>\n
Total 89.44<\/p>\n
Source: Soegeng Sarjadi Syndicate<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/voters-disregard-ideology-in-elections-survey-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }