Safrin La Batu, Jakarta – All three tickets in the Jakarta gubernatorial election are preparing for their final campaign rallies before the campaign period ends on Feb. 11, but such events are likely to have an impact only on swing and undecided voters, said Sirojuddin Abbas, a researcher at Saiful Munjani Research and Consulting (SMRC).
He said most voters would have already decided on their choice by the time the final campaign rallies took place and the rallies would be unlikely to sway them.
"Mass rallies may only attract swing and undecided voters, but these people tend to skip such events," he told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.
They could be eventually attracted when they learn about the events through the media, Sirojuddin added. "Mass campaign rallies are normally held to consolidate supporters to ensure they won't be swayed," he said.
The Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono-Sylviana Murni pairing is scheduled to end their campaigning with a rally on Feb. 11 at Soemantri Brodjonegoro Sports Stadium in Kuningan, South Jakarta.
Incumbents Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama-Djarot Saiful Hidayat are set to hold their biggest rally, titled "Konser Gue 2" (I AM 2 Concert), at the former driving range in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Saturday.
Anies Baswedan-Sandiaga Uno will stage a mass rally at Lapangan Banteng, Central Jakarta on Feb. 5.
Swing and undecided voters stand at around 14 percent of around 7 million registered voters, according to an SMRC study. With many surveys indicating a close race among the three pairs, winning the hearts of such voters is crucial. (bbs)