Jakarta. Comedian Alfiansyah Bustami, popularly known as Komeng, has garnered more than 1.5 million votes and counting from the general elections held on Feb. 14. His success can be attributed to a clever and amusing pose captured in his ballot photo, which has brought smiles to voters inside the booths.

His comical expression, featuring wide-open eyes, raised eyebrows, and an open mouth, proved effective in standing out among the formal and often unfamiliar photos of other legislative candidates.

“Once I opened the ballot paper, Komeng’s photo immediately caught my eye. I voted for him without hesitation,” Djaka, a resident of West Java, told the Jakarta Globe.

Komeng, a familiar face on TV shows for decades, is set to become a senator from West Java, Indonesia's most populous province, by securing a record-breaking number of votes. He even outperformed all political parties vying for seats in the House of Representatives. The Golkar Party, leading in West Java according to the interim official tally, garnered 1.2 million votes so far.

Remarkably, Komeng also surpassed presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo, who received 1.4 million votes in the province by Saturday’s tally.

The official count by the General Election Commission (KPU) has covered only 52 percent of incoming votes so far.

Komeng, 53, had previously consulted with the provincial KPU office about his unique photo pose and obtained permission. Changing his name to "Alfiansyah Komeng" on the ballot paper required court approval.

He retained the birth name "Alfiansyah" for strategic reasons, ensuring his name appeared on the top row of the ballot paper in alphabetical order.

“Every row has 11 photos, and there are 53 candidates competing [for Senate seats representing West Java],” explained Komeng.

If elected, Komeng has pledged to propose the National Comedy, Art, and Culture Day.

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