Jakarta – For the first time in history Jakartans will this year be given an opportunity to elect their governor – but a survey shows more than one quarter of residents will not vote because they do not like the candidates.

The Center for Strategic Policy and Development Study (Puskaptis) revealed Thursday that 26 percent of survey respondents said they would not vote because the four candidates standing had failed to win their hearts. The center surveyed 2,640 residents in 132 subdistricts from March 30 to April 6.

There are four candidates nominated by political parties for the election, with Fauzi Bowo, the current deputy governor, in the lead with 36 percent of votes, the survey shows.

Other candidates include Agum Gumelar, a retired general and former transportation minister; former deputy chief of the National Police Adang Daradjatun; and legislator Sarwono Kusumaatmadja. The survey shows Agum with 34 percent of votes, Adang with 18 percent and Sarwono with the remaining 12 percent.

Four indicators were used to measure the candidates: bravery, popularity, track record and profession.

Security is still a top priority for many Jakartans – the survey shows 99 percent of respondents see it as their number one reason to vote in a governor. Other election hot-spots include transportation, health services, education and job creation.

The survey shows 65 percent of respondents prefer the collaboration of a military figure and a civilian for the governor and his deputy.

The favorite deputy governor for Fauzi is Slamet Kirbiantoro, a retired Army officer; for Agum it is Biem Benyamin, a public figure, and for Sarwono it is the actor Rano Karno.

Executive director of the surveying company Puskaptis, Husin Yazid, said Jakartans' vision and understanding of democracy was entirely different to the way elite politicians viewed democracy.

"Politicians just want two or three candidates, which restricts people's choice," he said. "But the people want more freedom – including having more candidates from diverse backgrounds. This is why some people will not vote."

Husin said Jakartans needed a governor and a deputy governor who would be able to implement sustainable development in the city and to carry out development plans generally. The survey covered eligible voters, including married residents and anyone over the age of 17.