“God willing, we will only focus on our proposed programs,” deputy gubernatorial candidate Sandiaga said on Friday as quoted by Kompas.com. 

His statement was echoed by Anies after he performed Friday prayers at the At-Taqwa Mosque in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta.

After the first debate on Jan. 13, Anies and Sandiaga expressed their regrets that other candidates had “attacked” them.

(Read also: Political party leaders invited to second election debate: KPU Jakarta)

Incumbent candidate Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, for example, insinuated that Anies communicated in a “lecturer’s style” due to his background as the former rector of Paramadina University.

Separately, General Elections Commission (KPU) Jakarta commissioner Dahliah Umar said that launching “attacks” against other candidates’ arguments or opinions during the debate was permitted.

Jakarta governor and deputy governor candidates Anies Baswedan (second from right) and Sandiaga Uno (right) respond to queries raised by incumbent candidate pair Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama (left) and Djarot Saiful Hidayat (second from right) during the first candidates debate in Jakarta on Jan.13. (Antara/M.Agung Rajasa)

“You may attack but remain proportional. Candidates must engage in an exchange of arguments relevant to the issues being discussed,” she said as quoted by Kompas.com.

She also reminded the candidates that they should respond to the questions with straight-forward and clear answers.

The three topics to be discussed in the debate are bureaucratic reform, public services and urban planning.

“[If] the debate is carried out sincerely, without manipulation, voters can judge the candidates’ honesty, quality, competence and capacity,” she said.