"In a match of soccer, despite the opponent team leading in the second round, avoid making presumptions of the final result until the whistle is blown by the referee. More often than not, one can see last-minute goals being the game changers," he informed journalists here on Wednesday.
Panjaitan delivered his statement while responding to the Indikator Politik Indonesia's latest survey that places the Joko Widodo (Jokowi)-Ma'ruf Amin pair far ahead of the Prabowo Subianto-Sandiaga Uno pair in terms of electability.
This pollster's survey showed that the Jokowi-Amin pair secured 55.4 percent of the votes, while the Prabowo-Sandi pair only managed to gain 37.4 percent votes, while the number of undecided voters reached 7.2 percent of the respondents.
Panjaitan was quick to caution all that goals could perhaps be clocked in the final minutes prior to the presidential race, adding that such impromptu goals could swing the result in favor of Prabowo.
Instances of a campaign team member found to be involved in unlawful deeds or a statement made that needed to be rectified thereafter could all work in favor of the Prabowo-Sandi pair to emerge as the dark horse in the final minutes.
Making all-out efforts to bolster the chances of the Prabowo-Sandi camp's victory in the upcoming presidential race, some 22 thousand legislative candidates of the Democratic Party have been striving tirelessly to get elected and to strengthen the vote bank for the presidential candidate number 02, Panjaitan stated.
On Apr 17, some 192 million eligible voters across Indonesia will exercise their voting rights.
The voters will cast their ballots for their representatives at the House of Representatives (DPR), Regional Representatives Council (DPD), as well as provincial and district/city legislative bodies.
The voters will additionally have to vote for their preferred presidential and vice presidential candidate pairs.
Indonesians residing or traveling abroad too can vote in places outlined by the local election committees at the Indonesian embassies, consulate generals, and consulates.
With the due date drawing to a close, legislative candidates of several participating political parties appear to be pushing all efforts and resources to approach community members, who are eligible voters, including millennials, who are generally voting for the first time.
The Jokowi-Amin and Prabowo-Sandi pairs appear to be emulating the same strategy to expand their respective voter base.
Translator: Rangga, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
