All candidates running in the upcoming regental election in Tangerang vowed Thursday to focus on improving the welfare of local residents if elected.

Running mates Ismet Iskandar and Rano Karno, Jazuli Juwaini and Airin Rachmy Diani and Husamah Hisyam and Habib Alwi Al Husaini made the statement during a regental legislative council plenary session in Tigaraksa.

Each pair of candidates said if they were elected improvements would be made in the areas of health care, education, infrastructure, agribusiness, maritime affairs, industry, trade and tourism. They also said they intended to develop human resources in the area.

Tangerang regency will hold its first direct election on Jan. 20.

Incumbent Regent Ismet Iskandar is confident of securing a second term with his running mate, actor Rano Karno. They are backed by a coalition of 15 political parties.

The coalition supporting their campaign is made up of several major parties, including the Golkar Party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the United Development Party (PPP).

Legislator Jazuli Juwaini and his running mate Airin Rachmy Diani, the sister-in-law of Banten Governor Ratu Atut Chosiah, have the backing of six parties, including the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and the Crescent Star Party (PBB), while the Democratic Party (PD) and the National Awakening Party (PKB) have thrown their weight behind PD executive Usamah Hisyam and his running mate Habib Alwi Al Husaini.

Ismet said he would prioritize several initiatives if reelected, including the construction of the South and North Ring Roads, the Balaraja General Hospital, the Ciputat and Balaraja flyover and the Cituis fishing port. He said he would also focus on developing schools and community health centers, as well as continuing to develop South Tangerang city.

"I don't want to leave any homework to my successors. I need another term to finish all of the programs I started. I believe I will be elected again," Ismet said during the plenary session.

Jazuli Juwaini said he would focus on poverty alleviation and the improvement of health services, the economy and education.

"I will establish free schooling and free health services, which Tangerang does not have at this stage," he said.

Husamah said Tangerang residents had to look at the election in a positive light as it would determine the regency's future.

"The election is one of the blessings of democracy, so we should thank God and make good use of it," he said.

After each delivering their speeches, the candidates signed a joint agreement with council speaker Endang Sujana, Election Commission chairman Jamaludin, Pollwatch chairman Saipul Anwar and regental administration representative Mas Iman Kusnandar.

The agreement specified that all candidates would hold their election campaigns between Jan. 4 and 16.

Tangerang regency, which celebrated its 63rd anniversary on Dec. 27, is home to 3.5 million people. The regency has no restrictions on business activities, except those banned by the central government.

The southern part of Tangerang has been developed into a robust trade and services area, the central part of the regency is being developed into an industrial zone, while to the north the farming and fisheries sectors remain strong.

The existing master plan of the regency specifies that 40 percent of its total 111,038 hectares of land can be used for business activities.

The regency is home to thousands of small, medium and large businesses, most of which are involved in the production of electronic goods, leather products, health care products and consumer goods.