The Strategic Development and Policy Research Center's (Puskaptis) quick count revealed that the pair led the election race.

"Alex Noerdin and Ishak Mekki lead the elections with 35.03 percent of the vote," Puskaptis chief Husin Yazis said.

He said that they were closely followed by candidates Herman Deru and running mate Maphilinda
in second place with 33.24 percent. The Eddy Santana Putra -Annisa Juwita ticket finished with 17.44 percent and the Iskandar Hasan-Hafisz Tohir ticket came last with 14.31 percent.

He said that the quick count took samples from 15 regencies and municipalities in South Sumatra with a margin of error of around 1 percent and a voter turnout of 66 percent.

"Alex leads in nine regencies and municipalities, Herman Deru in five regencies and municipalities and Iskandar Hasan in one area," he said.

Meanwhile, another quick count by Indo Barometer also showed that Alex led the race with 36.05 percent of the vote, Herman Deru-Maphilinda with 33.92 percent, Eddy Santana-Djuwita with 19.68 percent and Iskandar Hasan-Hafisz Tohir with 11.33 percent.

This is a second attempt for Alex, who is also the incumbent governor, after he lost the Jakarta gubernatorial election to Joko Widodo and Basuki Tjahja Purnama last year. (hrl/dic)

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