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s South Sumatra officially launched the campaign period for the gubernatorial election, observers say that candidates are ignoring first-time voters.

According to Ardiyan, a political observer at Sriwijaya University in Palembang, the provincial capital, first-time voters comprise 11 percent of eligible voters in South Sumatra.

'There is no developed concept from the candidates to attract young voters, such as creating job opportunities,' Ardiyan said on Monday.

He said that candidates have approached youth voters superficially, such as by staging concerts, instead of substantially, through initiatives.

A similar view was expressed by Abdul Aziz, a member of the House of Representatives whose district is in the province and who said that candidates had yet to provide something that young voters could latch on to. 'First-time voters need clear and concrete visions that cater to their needs.'

Aziz said the community had not absorbed the statements made by candidates to date, which he described as very general.

'People should be given clear and concrete mission and vision statements on the direction of their progress over the next five years,' Aziz said.

The campaign of Eddy Santana and Anisja Djuita said they envisioned South Sumatra as a smart, healthy and prosperous province.

While Eddy was quick to rattle off a list of proposals, such as the 'South Sumatra Smart Card', 'South Sumatra Healthy Card' and 'South Sumatra Prosperity Card', he had no specifics on what benefits the cards would grant people.

The campaign of Hasan and Hafidz Tohir, meanwhile, said they wanted to make South Sumatra safe, peaceful, courteous and superior, free of corruption and illnesses, safe from crime, safe for investors and to encourage people to maintain security.

Separately, Herman Deru and running mate Maphilinda also supported a 'superior' South Sumatra that was educated, professional and productive.

A prosperous province was also touted by incumbent Governor Alex Nurdin, who is seeking reelection with running mate Ishak Mekki, and said he also wanted to make South Sumatra advanced, peaceful and globally competitive.

'We will continue to provide free education and healthcare and improve services,' Alex said.

The South Sumatra gubernatorial election is slated for June 6. The campaign period will last until June 2, followed by a debate session.

Seperately, in Sawahlunto, West Sumatra, the Democratic Party has claimed its candidate won the mayoral election on May 16 on a ticket backed by the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and the Indonesia Unity and Justice Party (PKPI).

The head of Sawahlunto branch of the Democratic Party, Asrijal, said on Sunday that the party's quick count indicated that the Ali Yusuf-Ismed ticket garnered 9,741 ballots (30.02 percent), followed by Erizal Ridwan and Emeldi, back by the Golkar Party and the United Development Party (PPP), with 9,265 votes (29.06 percent).

However, the quick count compiled by Erizal's campaign varied, saying that the Ali-Ismed had only obtained 9,433 votes (29.77 percent), just ahead of Erizal and Emeldi with 9,257 votes (29.22 percent).

The quick counts, compiled by party officials at each polling station, while not definite, appear to indicate that neither campaign recorded a sufficient majority to win on a first ballot, which may lead to a runoff.