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.