Subianto, 72, is increasing his margin of popularity over closest rival Pranowo, according to a poll published on Sunday by Indikator Politik Indonesia.
The third-time presidential candidate is now favoured by 39.7 per cent of voters to 30 per cent for Pranowo, the poll showed, compared to 36.1 to 33.7 last month.
The vote has already been mired in controversy after a judicial panel dismissed the country’s top judge Chief Justice Anwar Usman, who is Widodo’s brother-in-law, after finding him guilty of an ethics violation over a ruling that allowed Widodo’s son to run for vice president.
Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the 36-year-old mayor of Surakarta city, was allowed to become Subianto’s running mate after Usman’s ruling that changed the rules to allow candidates under 40 years of age to run if they have held a regional position.
Widodo’s Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has chosen Pranowo – who was initially touted as the favourite – as its candidate. He has picked chief security minister Mahfud as his running mate.
The third challenger Baswedan is favoured by conservative Muslims and Islamist groups. He chose Iskandar, the chairman of the Islamist National Awakening Party (PKB), as his running mate.
The official campaign period starts on November 28 but the presidential hopefuls have already embarked on nationwide tours seeking support from voters.
The next president will be sworn in next October, the elections commission said.
Source: CNA
