Indopol Survey: Public Wants Presidential Candidate with Regional Head Background

The 2024 general election (Pemilu) is still some time away, but political maneuvering is already underway, with party cadres strategizing and forging alliances.

Currently, only the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) has secured a ticket to nominate a presidential candidate for the 2024 election. Other parties will need to form coalitions to be able to nominate a presidential candidate in the upcoming election.

Findings from a national survey by Indopol Survey & Consulting indicate that the public prefers a presidential candidate (national figure) with a background as a regional head for the 2024 election.

Of the 1,230 respondents surveyed between June 24 and July 1, 2022, 23.58% desired a national figure with a regional head background. This is the highest percentage compared to other backgrounds.

18.86% of respondents preferred a national figure from the military/TNI. Furthermore, 12.85% chose a candidate from religious/clerical circles, 10% from intellectuals/academics, and 3.82% from party chairs.

Another 3.09% of respondents wanted a 2024 presidential candidate with a business background, 2.03% from activist circles, and 6.5% from other backgrounds. Those who responded "don't know" (TT) and "didn't answer" (TJ) totaled 19.27%.

According to the Indopol survey, presidential candidates with regional head backgrounds include Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil, and Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan.