Peopleâs Synergy for Democracy in Indonesia (Sigma) director Said Salahudin says that the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggleâs (PDI-P) less than expected results in the 2014 legislative election would likely pose a challenge to the presidential candidacy of Jakarta Governor Joko âJokowiâ Widodo
eople's Synergy for Democracy in Indonesia (Sigma) director Said Salahudin says that the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle's (PDI-P) less than expected results in the 2014 legislative election would likely pose a challenge to the presidential candidacy of Jakarta Governor Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo.
He said the 'Jokowi effect' had been proven ineffective in attracting votes for his party in the legislative poll.
'The PDI-P vote gain, based on results of quick counts conducted by several pollsters, shows that Jokowi's presidential candidacy did not have a significant influence,' Said stated in Jakarta on Thursday as quoted by Antara news agency.
In its second national working meeting last year, the PDI-P targeted 27.02 percent of the vote in the April 9 legislative election.
'In fact, there was no significant increase in the party's vote gain. By obtaining less than 20 percent of the vote, the PDI-P cannot walk alone in nominating Jokowi in the upcoming presidential election,' said Said.
He further said: 'If it insists on nominating the Jakarta governor, then the PDI-P must be realistic and form a coalition with other political parties so that it can meet the presidential threshold requirement.'
To be able to nominate a presidential candidate, a party must secure at least 25 percent of the vote or win 20 percent of seats at the House of Representatives.
'By obtaining, let's say, 20 percent of the vote in the legislative election, the PDI-P could not win House seats in the number required. The further question is, with which parties will the PDI-P form a coalition,' he said. (ebf)
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