Indonesia is in the midst of its fifth presidential and legislative elections since emerging from dictatorship in 1998. With nearly 205 million eligible voters, the polls are an important exercise in democracy for the archipelago nation.
The presidential election will determine the successor to President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi. There are three main candidates in the running, including current Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto and former governors Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes in the first round, a runoff will be held on June 26.
The elections are particularly significant due to the 20,000 public officials up for election in addition to the presidential race. The country’s political parties also play a crucial role, needing at least 4% of the national vote to qualify for representation in the national parliament.
The election is also important as Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation and the world’s fourth most populous country. It’s geographical location and membership in international organizations make it a key player in regional and global affairs.
In the midst of the election, there has been unease over outgoing President Widodo’s influence in the election. Critics have expressed concern over potential lack of neutrality and nepotism, particularly after he publicly showed support for frontrunner Prabowo Subianto.
The results of the election are expected to be announced in about 35 days as the official vote-counting process takes place. However, early vote count results, known as a “quick count,” will be available, allowing for an early indication of what the final results may show.