The first exit polls for the Jakarta gubernatorial election show that main challengers Agus Yudhoyono and Sylviana Murni are eliminated, securing less than 20 percent of the vote.
Various exit polls show incumbent Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama and Djarot Saiful are in the lead, with Anies Baswedan and Sandiaga Uno narrowly behind.
Anies and Sandi were considered outsiders in a campaign fought largely in the public eye between the incumbent and the scion of a political dynasty in Agus, the son of former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, in a race that was marred by identity politics and religious tensions.
As of 3.23 p.m., Pollmark Indonesia had Agus-Sylvi at 18.00 percent. Ahok-Djarot at 41.63 percent and Anies-Sandi at 40.37 percent. Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) put Agus-Sylvi at 17.15 percent, Ahok-Djarot at 42.58 percent and Anies-Sandi at 40.27 percent. Indikator Politik Indonesia had Agus-Sylvi at 17.35 percent, Ahok-Djarot at 44.0 percent and Anies-Sandi at 38.65 percent. Lingkar Survey Indonesia (LSI) had Agus-Sylvi at 17 percent, Ahok-Djarot at 44 percent, and Anies-Sandi at 39 percent.
The counting far from over, but one camp is sure that they are winning.
Ali Mardarni, the head of Anies-Sandis campaign team, said his candidates are leading the exit poll.
Well wait for official result, but external exit polls and our internal quick count show that our candidates are the most trusted ones to lead Jakarta, he said on MetroTV.
We will publish updates later in the day.
(brl/red)
