Presidential candidates spent the majority of their fourth week of the campaign window trying to solidify support in their respective stronghold provinces, while also reaching out to new groups of voters in the hope of cementing their positions in a likely runoff election.

Ganjar Pranowo, the candidate backed by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P)-led alliance, kicked off last week’s campaign in Central Java, where he served as governor for two terms.

In the country’s third most-populous province, he spent his time in Wonosobo regency, meeting local residents and going to markets, emulating President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s trademark blusukan (impromptu visits).

Ganjar also opted not to spend the night in a hotel in the regency. Instead, he chose to stay at a local resident’s house.

Currently locked in a tight race with rival Anies Baswedan for a second spot in the likely runoff, Ganjar is still the man to beat in Central Java, which has also long been a traditional stronghold of the PDI-P.

In an opinion survey published in early December by pollster Indikator Politik Indonesia, a majority of voters in the province told surveyors that they preferred to vote for their former governor over other candidates.

Ganjar Pranowo (second right) talks with a resident in Bojasari village, Wonosobo regency, Central Java on Dec. 18, 2023. On the campaign trail in the regency, Ganjar opted to stay for a night in a resident's house. ">

Popular

The fragile promise of pluralism, religious freedom in Southeast Asia

Coffee, gold push up inflation to 1.95 percent in April

Power begins to return after outage in Indonesia's Bali island