According to this recent study, the debate actually has an impact in voters' choice.

  27 Januari 2017 20:00

The latestsurvey conducted in January by Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting shows a change of trend of three candidates running for Jakarta Governor post's electability.

Agus Yudhoyono-Sylviana Murni, who usually lead the race, suffered from an 8.3 percent decrease, from 30.8 percent to 22.5 percent last month.

Incumbent Basuki Tjahaja Purnama-Djarot Saiful now top the survey with 34.8 percent. The pair's electability's raised more than 6 percent from their initial 28.8 percent.

Meanwhile, Anies Baswedan-Sandiaga Uno stay in the last position with 26.4 percent, slipping from last month's 28.63 percent.

The change of trend is felt mostly after the first gubernatorial debate on Jan. 13.

The agency then asked the next question: did the debate change voters' preference?

Survey shows that 62 percent of respondents watched the debate, and 44 percent of them think Ahok-Djarot didbetter than other candidates, while 27 percent preferred Anies-Sandiaga, and the reset favored Agus-Sylvi.

SMRC's analysis then concluded that the change wasaffected by the ability of each pairto deliver their thoughts during the debate.

The agencyalso asked the reason behind every respondent's choice.

Most of Agus-Sylvi's supporters said that the pair is firm and decisive, most of Ahok-Djarot's supporters said the pair's evidence of good work was the reason, while most of Anies-Sandiaga's supporters said that the pair is well-educated for the job.

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