Megawati insisted surveys did not determine a candidate’s performance. “I think a survey is only a reference. It cannot determine the result of an election,” the party chairperson said as quoted by kompas.com after she cast her ballot at polling station TPS 27 in Kebagusan, South Jakarta, on Wednesday.

“It is Jakarta’s voters who will decide the result of this election,” she went on.

(Read also: Anies beats Ahok in runoff vote: Quick counts)

Megawati further said it was really important for Jakarta voters to be able to exercise their right to vote without any interference or intimidation from any parties. “So, go ahead. Just choose any candidate you want to choose but there should be no intimidation, no terror,” she said.

The PDI-P led a coalition, which included the Golkar Party, the Hanura Party and the NasDem Party, that backed the Ahok-Djarot ticket. Meanwhile, Anies-Sandiaga was supported by a coalition led by Gerindra Party patron Prabowo Subianto.

Megawati said Jakarta should be a role model for other provinces on how democracy should work. She would continue to monitor all stages of the election until fully complete. However, quick counts appear to show that Anies-Sandiaga won the election.

“Let’s see the results. I will wait them. Of course because I support Ahok, I want him to lead Jakarta again,” said Megawati. (afr/ebf)