The survey was conducted from Sept. 27 to Oct. 3, ahead of the 2018 simultaneous regional elections in 171 provinces, regencies and cities, including West Java, the country’s most-populated province.

Of the 820 survey respondents, 16.8 percent said they would vote for Ridwan if the gubernatorial election was held at that time.

Tailing him was incumbent Deputy Governor Deddy Mizwar with 3.8 percent and Purwakarta Regent Dedi Mulyadi (2.2 percent).

West Java Deputy Governor Deddy Mizwar (left) accompanies Governor Ahmad Heryawan (right) and his wife Netty Heryawan at a coffee event, "Ngopi Sarosna," held at the Gedung Sate heritage building in Bandung, West Java, on March 19. (Antara/Novrian Arbi)

When the respondents were asked to choose between 10 prospective candidates, Ridwan came out on top with 34.1 percent of respondents saying they would vote for him. Former actor Deddy followed in second place with 15.5 percent. In this scenario, third position was held by Democratic Party lawmaker and former West Java deputy governor Dede Yusuf Macan Effendi (9.9 percent).

“At the moment, Ridwan's strongest rival is Deddy. It is apparent in all scenarios,” SMRC executive director Djayadi Hanan told reporters during the release of the survey findings on Thursday.

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Ridwan has secured support from the NasDem Party, the Golkar Party, the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the United Development Party (PPP) to run for West Java governor.

Deddy, meanwhile, is backed by the National Mandate Party (PAN).

The ruling Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the Gerindra Party and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) have yet to declare support for a particular candidate. (bbs)

Ciamis Regent Iing Syam Arifin (left) and Purwakarta Regent Dedi Mulyadi (second left) visit Oktaviani, a 6-year-old born with a malformed face. She is held by her mother, Tati Nurhayati (right), in Banjarsari, Ciamis, West Java. (Kompas.com/Irwan Nugraha)