The PKS continues its mini winning streak in regional elections, this time in North Sumatra.

Early results in the North Sumatra election point to a win for Syamsul Arifin and Gatot Pujo Nugroho, backed by a coalition of Islamist parties, the PKS (Partai Keadilan Sejahtera), PPP (Partai Persatuan Pembangunan), and PBB (Partai Bulan Bintang).

Initial Results

• Syamsul Arifin and Gatot Pujo Nugroho - (Team “Syampurno”) (PKS, PPP, PBB) - 35%
• Tritamtomo and Benny Pasaribu (Team “Triben”) (PDI Perjuangan) - 25%
• Ali Umri and Maratua Simanjuntak (Team “Umma”) (Golkar) - 17%
• Abdul Wahab Dalimunthe and Romo Raden Syafi’i (Team “Waras”) (Partai Demokrat, PBR, PAN) - 13%
• R.E. Siahaan and Suherdi (Team “Pass”) (PDS, PKB, PIB, PBSD, PPD, PNBK, Partai Pelopor, PNI Marheinisme) - 9%

Populist.

The winning team needs at least a quarter of the vote. [1]

Turnout & Irregularities

Current Governor of Sumatera Utara Rudolf Pardede says the turnout was only around 40% and that this is a worrying sign for democracy.

Lingkar Survei Indonesia (LSI) put the turnout at only 30%. [2] However Lembaga Survei Indonesia (LSI) said it was 59%. [3]

R.E. Siahaan complained that in the Pantai Barat area, which is mainly Christian, many people did not receive voter registration cards. [4] There were many other complaints of voter cards being unavailable.