"The electability of the incumbent pair is declining if we compare to earlier surveys carried out by other fellow pollsters," Indokonsultama Research and Consulting executive director Fajar Nurshaid said on Sunday, adding that most respondents had been firm with their decisions. 

The survey, which was carried out with 575 eligible voters in the capital, found that incumbent Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama and his running mate Djarot Saiful Hidayat were favored by 30.1 percent of respondents, above the other two candidates. Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono-Sylviana Murni earned 26.4 percent, while the Anies Baswedan-Sandiaga Uno pair sat at the bottom with 21.6 percent. The rest of the respondents declined to reveal their preferences. 

If no pair secures 50 percent of the vote, the minimum requirement to win in one round, the election will proceed to a second round, providing a stage for the top two candidates in a head-to-head battle. 

"The second round could be a ‘nightmare’ for the Ahok-Djarot pair, because supporters of the challengers would likely unite against the incumbent," Fajar said. 

According to the survey, Agus and Sylviana were projected to secure 50.4 percent, far above Ahok-Djarot, who were slated to secure only 32 percent. The survey also showed that Anies-Sandiaga had a bigger chance than the incumbent pair should they go face-to-face in a final round, with 46.3 percent compared to 35.5 percent for the incumbent. The survey was carried out last month. (fac/dmr) 

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