Voters disregard ideology in elections: Survey
Voters disregard ideology in elections: Survey
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
A recent survey found that the public will not take ideology into
consideration when they choose their preferred political parties
or presidential candidate in the elections next year.
The survey, conducted by Soegeng Sarjadi Syndicated (SSS),
found that candidates with a "nationalist" orientation and
"Islamic" candidates stood an equal chance of winning the
elections.
Of the 5,000 respondents, 45.06 percent of them said they
would vote for nationalist candidates, 44.38 percent for
candidates from Islamic parties and 10.56 percent had no
preference.
In the general election, 46.40 percent said they would vote
for a nationalist party, 43.14 percent vote for an Islamic party
and 10.46 percent were undecided.
"This means politicians from any ideology are acceptable. I am
optimistic there will be no clashes between supporters of rival
parties," said J. Kristiadi from the Centre for Strategic and
International Studies (CSIS) here on Wednesday.
The survey was conducted in 19 cities and 14 regencies in 15
provinces through face-to-face interviews. It was designed to
measure the strength of Islamic and nationalist political parties
contesting the elections next year.
Interviews were conducted between Nov. 10 and Nov. 22 using
stratified random sampling.
Marcus Meitzner from the Australian National University (ANU)
agreed with Kristiadi, saying the slight margin between those
supporting Islamic and nationalist parties would spark conflict
only if both groups were homogeneous.
In the case of Indonesia, he said, each group is quite
heterogeneous, therefore the chance of a conflict is remote.
"This means that polarization between Islamic and nationalist
parties will not happen," he said.
SSS executive director Sukardi Rinakit said the survey found
voters' preferences were much the same as they were in the first
general election in 1955.
The survey also found that the majority of respondents (52.06
percent) believed the elections would bring better conditions to
the country, compared to 41.64 percent said they would not.
Respondents who were optimistic said the direct presidential
election would help the nation establish a more legitimate
government.
They also believed the direct presidential election would
ensure security and political stability.
No. Figures Ideology Support (%)
1. Megawati Soekarnoputri Nationalist 30.10
2. Sultan Hamengku Buwono Nationalist 7.14
3. Susilo B. Yudhoyono Nationalist 5.20
4. Wiranto Nationalist 2.18
5. Other nationalist figures 0.44
6. Amien Rais Islamic 28.16
7. Nurcholish Madjid Islamic 15.84
8. Other Islamic figures 0.38
Total 89.44
Source: Soegeng Sarjadi Syndicate