Depok wealthy snub local election

Depok wealthy snub local election

Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A recent telephone poll revealed that Depok residents living in
middle to upper class housing estates are less likely to vote in
the upcoming mayoral election as compared to others.

According to the poll held from June 6 to June 11, 19.5
percent of middle class residents would not exercise their right
to vote in the June 26 election.

Meanwhile, only 13.2 percent of lower class residents had
decided not to take part in the mayoral election.

Unfortunately the survey, organized by the University of
Indonesia (UI) Research Center for Political and Social
Development Strategy and the Center for Local Government Studies
(CLGS), did not cite the reason behind the difference in
attitude.

CLGS chief Boni Hargens, however, said on Tuesday that middle
class residents were more realistic.

"According to the poll, some Depok residents are pessimistic
about the mayoral election on June 26 and feel that it will not
improve conditions," he added.

The total respondents are 600 -- 350 middle class respondents
and 250 lower class respondents.

According to the poll, former mayor Badrul Kamal and his
running mate Syihabuddin Ahmad is the most popular pair,
receiving support from 34 percent of high class respondents and
34 percent of low class respondents.

In second place were Nur Mahmudi Ismail and Yuyun Wirasaputra,
who were supported by 29.7 percent of middle class respondents
and 22 percent of low-class respondents, followed by running
mates Harun Heryana and Farkhan Abdul Rozal and running mates Yus
Ruswandi and Soetadi Dipowongso. The least popular were Abdullah
Wahab Abidin and Ilham Wijaya.

Another aspect shown in the poll is that 47.9 percent of
middle class respondents believed that the mayoral election would
lead to better social, political and economic conditions, while
27.8 expressed doubt about any changes.

Meanwhile, 54 percent of lower class respondents believed that
the mayoral election would improve conditions, while 24.4 others
expressed doubts about a significant change in their lives.