Polling services enjoy popularity in Riau Islands
Polling services enjoy popularity in Riau Islands
Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam
Polling and survey institutions are busy as the date for the Riau
Islands regional elections draws nearer, with many candidates
paying big money to find out how they are faring and what voters
are thinking.
Professional survey institutes, along with newspapers and
local television stations are carrying out the polls, and some of
the results are likely to be published soon.
Others, however, will remain secret; as part of the campaign
strategy for the politicians vying for the positions of governor,
mayors and regents in June.
Lukman Nur Sahid, an independent poller and survey organizer,
told The Jakarta Post many candidates had asked him to conduct
surveys to learn about their levels of popularity.
His surveys polled voters about the candidates' popularity and
researched voter behavior.
Lukman said he charged Rp 100 million (US$11,000) for
conducting surveys at the regental and municipal level and Rp 500
million for the provincial level. He declined to mention names of
the gubernatorial and mayoral candidates who were using his
services.
His surveys polled a random sample of voters about each
candidate's popularity and asked them to name the candidate they
considered the best qualified to become the next mayor, regent or
governor.
"The surveys are similar to those done by President Susilo
Bambang Yudhoyono before his presidential bid. The last
presidential surveys have inspired candidates at the regional
level to do the same thing; to justify their capacity and
credibility, " Lukman said.
He said his clients could not interfere with the polling and
were unlikely to want to. The results would be for the eyes of
their campaign teams only, helping them to design election
strategy and know what to expect.
"If the results are good and fit to be publicized to bolster
their images, then it will be done. But it will also depend on
our suggestions," Lukman said.
One of the candidates, Riau Islands acting governor Ismeth
Abdullah, has admitted to carrying out pre-election polling and
says he has had a research institution conduct a survey about his
prospects for the post.
Ismeth, who is also chairman of the Batam Authority Board,
said those conducting the polls provided vital information for
contestants.
"Those doing the survey are our friends too. It important to
know how credible I am as a gubernatorial candidate. If I'm not
elected, I'll just pack my bags for Jakarta," he said and
laughed.