The Golkar Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party-Struggle (PDI-P) are expected to contest a close parliamentary election on April 9, said a survey conducted across Indonesia recently.

The results of a survey conducted by Political Weather Station (PWS) show that Golkar is leading with 20.3 percent of the popular votes while PDI-P received 19.3 percent.

“Golkar and PDI-P took turns to be the number one and number two,” said PWS senior researcher Denny Ramdhany when announcing the results of the survey today.

Great Indonesia Party (Gerindra) was third (14.2) followed by People’s Conscience Party (Hanura,8.9), National Awakening Party (6.6), Democratic Party (6.5), United Development Party (5.4), National Mandate Party (4.7), National Democratic Party (Nasdem, 4.3), Prosperous Justice Party (4.2), Crescent Star Party (1.1) and Indonesian Justice and Unity Party (PKPI, 0.5).

The remaining respondents did not make a choice.

Denny said Golkar and PDI-P obtained the highest preference as the two parties have a network of organisations and cadres all over Indonesia.

Both parties also have top officials in the provinces such as governors, mayors and county officials compared to the other parties.

“The strength of the two parties is not focused on this factor alone as they have leadership, finance and religion (in their leaders),” he said.

The survey conducted from March 12 to 24 in 34 regions in Indonesia, with 1,230 respondents randomly selected from among eligible voters at the election.

The survey was funded by the Indonesian Political Foundation and  contributions from small and medium entrepreneurs in the country.

- Bernama