Ahmad Dhani has the opportunity to face incumbent Eri Cahyadi in the Surabaya regional elections

However, in Surabaya, until Monday (29/4/2024), the excitement surrounding the contestation for the mayor-deputy mayor election had not yet been felt. In the capital of East Java it is almost difficult to find a massive distribution of flags, banners, banners, posters and advertisements from candidates who have the ambition to become the mayor-deputy mayor of Surabaya.

One of the prominent banners found across from the Karah Culinary Tourism Center is a large banner in the heart of the intersection of Karah Road and Karah Agung Road, featuring Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi with the Suramadu Bridge in the background. The banner reads, "Welcome Ramadan, 2024 Follow Cak Eri, Working from the Heart," and "#volunteerericahyadi".

The banner is relatively new, but its material has existed even before the voting for the 2024 general election on February 14. At that time, Surabaya was crowded with campaign materials for presidential and vice-presidential candidates, as well as legislative candidates. After that, there was a clean-up effort, although it left behind advertisements from those who wanted to be the ruler of Surabaya, namely Eri, the incumbent.

The Election Commission of Surabaya has also not opened the registration for candidate pairs. The same goes for political parties at the branch or regional level in Surabaya. However, Eri is actively visiting residents, building relationships, and holding a gathering while inviting Surabaya's Deputy Mayor, Armuji.

Eri-Armuji won the 2020 mayoral and deputy mayoral election. This pair from the PDI-P and PSI defeated Machfud Arifin-Mujiaman Sukirno, who was supported by a coalition of thick parties such as PKB, Gerindra, Golkar, Demokrat, PKS, PPP, PAN, and Nasdem. Before serving as mayor, Eri was a high-ranking official desired by Tri Rismaharini, who is now the Minister of Social Affairs, to continue leadership in Surabaya. Armuji, before becoming the second in command, was an experienced PDI-P cadre in the Surabaya City Council and East Java Regional Council.

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Based on the results of the 2024 general elections, PDI-P remains the ruling party in the Surabaya parliament with 11 seats out of 50, although it decreased from 15 seats in the previous period. By becoming the majority in the legislature again, PDI-P may not need to reconsider nominating their cadre, namely Eri-Armuji.

However, this does not mean that Eri-Armuji is the only pair of names locked in the arena of the contest. Other names have started to emerge, although if tested in conversations among the community, the names Eri and Armuji still resound.

Several names that have emerged include the Speaker of the Surabaya City DPRD Adi Sutarwiyono, PKS Vice Speaker of the Surabaya City DPRD Reni Astuti, Surabaya PKB Chairman Musyafak Rouf, as well as the Surabaya Democrat Chairman and DPR member Lucy Kurniasari. In addition, Jokowi's Pro East Java Chairman Bayu Airlangga, who is also the son-in-law of former Governor Soekarwo, former Surabaya City Secretary Hendro Gunawan, musician Ahmad Dhani from Gerindra, and Cahyo Harjo Prakoso, the Chairman of Gerindra Surabaya.

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Although the name Eri tends to be popular, the situation can still change as the contest has not yet begun. It's like in a soccer game, currently still in the warm-up phase and the match has not started yet.

Until today (Monday) is the registration period for the District Election Committee.

Recruit candidates

After receiving a visit from Eri-Armuji on Sunday (28/4/2024), the Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) in Surabaya, Mahsun Djayadi, stated that the incumbent pair is included on the candidate list. However, PAN is currently open for registration to anyone.

"If we support or promote it, we'll wait for the DPP's decision," he said.

Other political parties are also exploring coalitions to endorse candidates, including Gerindra Party. With eight seats, this party must form a coalition in the region.

The Chairman of Gerindra Surabaya, Cahyo Harjo Prakoso, stated that there are several prominent names in his party. For example, musician Ahmad Dhani, a member of the elected DPR from the East Java I Electoral District (Surabaya-Sidoarjo).

However, Dhani is likely to prioritize the DPR first. Unless Gerindra's Chairman, Prabowo Subianto, the elected president, assigns Dhani to enter the Surabaya contest arena.

When asked about his own chances, Cahyo, who made it to the East Java Regional Representative Council (DPRD Jatim) from the Jatim 1 electoral district (Surabaya), just smiled. What is clear, Gerindra immediately opened registration. "We are still consolidating," said the son of shipping businessman Bambang Haryo Soekartono, elected member of DPR from Surabaya-Sidoarjo.

Efforts to recruit candidates are also carried out by the PDI-P. According to the Chairman of PDI-P Surabaya, Adi Sutarwijono, currently is the period for political parties to recruit candidates for the contests.

"He said, 'It's strange that they're already talking about supporting each other when even the registration for PDI-P hasn't been opened yet.'" He managed to get re-elected to the Surabaya parliament from the Surabaya 3 electoral district, which consists of seven sub-districts (Wonocolo, Rungkut, Sukolilo, Tenggilis Mejoyo, Gunung Anyar, Mulyorejo, and Bulak).

Chairman of the Surabaya KPU, Nur Syamsi, stated that the period between May 5th and August 19th, 2024 is the time for fulfilling the requirements of support for independent candidate pairs. For pairs from political parties, registration will take place on August 27th-29th, 2024. Furthermore, from August 27th to September 21st, 2024, is the period for examining the requirements of candidate pairs, followed by their official appointment the following day.

"Until today (Monday) is the registration period for the District Election Committee," said Nur Syamsi.

The public is still waiting to see which candidates will compete in the Surabaya City regional elections.