B

ureaucrats and politicians pitching for Tangerang regency posts have started to charm voters, even though the local election commission has yet to decide on the date of an election that is due to take place later this year.

With the assistance of subdistrict and district administration staff, Ahmed Zaki Iskandar, a Tangerang councillor, has even started an introductory campaign by placing posters and banners with his pictures on at almost every road across the regency.

Ahmed Zaki, the chairman of Tangerang regency’s branch of the Golkar Party, is the eldest son of the outgoing regent Ismet Iskandar.

Another councillor, Achmad Su-badri, had even placed his introductory banners along the main roads since January. Subadri is formerly Tangerang regency’s Democratic Party chairman.

Tangerang Mayor Wahidin Halim, the chairman of the Banten’s Democratic Party advisory board, who lost in the recent Banten gubernatorial race, was reportedly mentioned as one of candidates to run in the upcoming regental election.

However, Wahidin refused to answer The Jakarta Post when asked about his candidacy.

Jazuli Abdillah, one of Wahidin’s campaign team members in the Banten gubernatorial race, acknowledged that many public figures in the regency had asked Wahidin to run as a candidate for election following his success in managing the Tangerang municipality.

“We are still looking at the possibility. It’s too early to talk about the candidacy now,” Jazuli said on Saturday.

The chairman of Banten’s Indonesian Youth Committee (KNPI) and relative to Banten Governor Ratu Atut Chosiah, Aden Abdul Kholid, was also said to be paired in the election with M. Sholeh, former South Tangerang acting mayor.

Sholeh said he already held supports from a number of religious figures in the northern coast of Tangerang regency but he had refused.

Young actor and singer Irwansyah will also follow in the footsteps of his seniors by planning to run as deputy regent. He will pair with Yanuar, so far the only independent ticket in the Tangerang regent election.

Last week, the pair held an introductory meeting with supporters at Bukit Telaga Bestari housing complex in Sindang Jaya district, Tangerang regency.

Hasan Mustofi, a commissioner at the Tangerang General Elections Commission (KPUD Tangerang) said that the registration of candidates would likely to be held in June.

“We have yet to decide on the voting date. As of today, we are still looking for a date that would not overlap with national holidays,” he said. “The term of the incumbent regent will end in March next year and we’ll make sure the election date does not coincide with the Christmas and New Year holidays.”

According to Hasan, the commission was now updating voter data, which would be used in the 2014 presidential election.