CNA Explains: What you need to know about Indonesia's presidential election

Summary

Indonesia's elections, set for Wednesday, will be one of the largest democratic events globally, with over 200 million eligible voters. The country will hold simultaneous presidential, parliamentary, gubernatorial, and mayoral elections. More than 200,000 candidates from 18 political parties are competing for thousands of positions. The race for president features three prominent candidates: Anis Baswedan, Prabowo Subianto, and Ganjar Pranowo, with a possible runoff in June if no candidate secures a majority. Amidst promises and controversies, concerns about power consolidation, political dynasties, and weakened democratic checks are evident, sparking debates on Indonesia’s political future.

Takeaways

• 😀 Indonesia is holding elections on Wednesday, with two simultaneous elections for the President and Vice President, as well as for members of parliament, governors, and mayors.
• 😀 Over 200 million Indonesians are eligible to vote, making Indonesia the third-largest democracy in the world after the US and India.
• 😀 More than 5.7 million volunteers will oversee around 820,000 polling stations across the country.
• 😀 The legislative election involves hundreds of thousands of candidates from 18 political parties, competing for over 20,000 positions.
• 😀 The presidential election features three candidates: Anis Baswedan, Prao Subbiano, and Ganjar Pranoo, with each running with different vice-presidential candidates.
• 😀 Voters will cast ballots for the party or candidate of their choice, with a nail used to mark the ballot paper as a precaution against fraud. Voting will last from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM local time.
• 😀 If no presidential candidate wins a simple majority and 20% of votes in half of Indonesia's provinces, a runoff election will occur in June, with the final vote happening in late June.
• 😀 The winner of the presidential runoff will take office in October, with the new National Representatives being inaugurated on the 1st of October.
• 😀 President Joko Widodo cannot run for re-election due to the two-term limit but has endorsed Defense Minister Prao Subbiano as his successor.
• 😀 Controversy surrounds President Widodo's endorsement of his son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, as a vice-presidential candidate, raising concerns about dynastic politics and the ethical implications of such endorsements.
• 😀 Critics argue that the lack of strong opposition parties and checks on executive power has led to an imbalance of political control, with President Widodo consolidating power through his majority in parliament.

Q & A

What are the main elections taking place in Indonesia this Wednesday?

Indonesia is holding two simultaneous elections: one for President and Vice President, and another for members of parliament, governors, regional representatives, and mayors.

How many people are eligible to vote in the Indonesian elections?

More than 200 million people are eligible to vote, making Indonesia the third-largest democracy in the world, behind the US and India.

How many polling stations are set up for the elections, and who is overseeing them?

There are around 820,000 polling stations across the country, and 5.7 million volunteers have been mobilized to oversee the voting process.

How many candidates are competing for various positions in the Indonesian elections?

Hundreds of thousands of candidates from 18 political parties are competing for more than 20,000 positions, including legislative and executive roles.

Who are the three presidential candidates in Indonesia’s election?

The three presidential candidates are Anis Baswedan (running with Muham Isanda), Praa Subbiano (running with Gibran Rakabuming Raka), and Ganjar Pranowo (running with Maut MD).

What is the voting process like in Indonesia's elections?

Voters will receive four or five ballot papers, mark their choices by poking a hole in the paper with a nail, and then dip their finger in ink to prevent voter fraud. Voting is open for 6 hours, from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. local time.

How will the winner of the presidential election be determined?

A candidate needs a simple majority of votes and at least 20% of votes in over half of Indonesia's provinces. If no candidate achieves this, a runoff election will take place between the top two candidates.

What is the political situation regarding President Joko Widodo’s involvement in the election?

President Joko Widodo cannot run for re-election due to constitutional limits. However, he has endorsed Defense Minister Praa Subbiano as his successor, while his son Gibran is being groomed for the vice presidency.

What controversies have emerged regarding the presidential campaign?

Controversies include allegations of political dynasty-building, with Widodo’s family members, including his sons and son-in-law, becoming active in politics. There are concerns about the ethical implications of this development.

How has Indonesia’s political system been described in relation to checks and balances?

Indonesia’s political system has been criticized for lacking effective checks and balances, with the president controlling a majority in the parliament. This absence of opposition and oversight has raised concerns about the health of the democracy.

What role do the Constitutional Court and other institutions play in ensuring democratic principles in Indonesia?

The Constitutional Court and other independent institutions like the Anti-Corruption Commission are meant to act as checks on the executive. However, there have been concerns about their weakening and the lack of enforcement of democratic norms.