Indonesia Prepares for World’s Largest Single-Day Election with Over 200 Million Eligible Voters
Indonesia is gearing up for what is being hailed as the world’s biggest single-day election, with over 200 million eligible voters set to head to the polls on Wednesday. This sprawling Southeast Asian nation, known as the world’s third-largest electoral democracy and the largest Muslim-majority country, has made significant progress since the fall of the authoritarian regime of late dictator Suharto in 1998. It has transformed into one of Asia’s most vibrant democracies and economies.
Hosting an election in the world’s largest archipelagic nation is no small feat. With a land area wider than the United States, Indonesia spans three time zones and consists of over 18,000 islands and islets, of which 6,000 are inhabited. The country boasts a rich cultural diversity, with over 150 languages spoken across its breadth.
The campaign leading up to the election has been dominated by prominent figures in a decisive race that will also select around 20,000 national and provincial lawmakers. Younger Indonesians play a crucial role, with approximately half of registered voters being under the age of 40, according to the General Election Commission.
Job opportunities are a top concern for many voters, as presidential candidates pledge to drive economic growth fueled by natural resources and trade opportunities. However, challenges such as climate change and illegal logging pose threats to Indonesia’s sustainable future.
Let’s take a closer look at the presidential candidates vying for the nation’s top position. The race is primarily a three-way contest between Prabowo Subianto, Ganjar Pranowo, and Anies Baswedan. Prabowo Subianto, a former military general and incumbent defense minister, is running for president for the third time and currently leads in the polls. Despite his controversial background and accusations of kidnapping and torturing pro-democracy activists in the late 1990s, Prabowo remains popular. While he has attempted to rebrand himself as a democracy supporter, concerns linger among activists and analysts about his authoritarian past.
Ganjar Pranowo, the candidate of the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, served two terms as governor of Central Java and has garnered a significant following outside the capital Jakarta. His running mate is senior minister Mahfud MD. Anies Baswedan, running as an independent candidate, has strong ties to Islamic political groups. His vice-presidential pick, Muhaimin Iskandar, leads Indonesia’s largest Muslim political party, the National Awakening Party.
Outgoing President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, has been a dominant figure in Indonesian politics since 2014 but is constitutionally barred from seeking a consecutive third term. Concerns have arisen over Jokowi’s attempts to secure influence after leaving office through his son Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who is running for vice president alongside Prabowo. Despite being below the age limit, Gibran was made eligible to run after a constitutional court ruling, raising suspicions of a plan to establish a Jokowi dynasty.
Experts predict that a run-off is highly likely, even with Prabowo and Gibran emerging as frontrunners in various polls. To win the presidency, a candidate needs a simple majority of at least 50% of total votes and 20% of votes in more than half of the country’s 38 provinces. If no candidate meets these criteria, a run-off will take place on June 26.
Indonesia’s young electorate, with millennials and Gen Z making up a significant portion of voters, prioritizes job opportunities, poverty eradication, and corruption elimination. However, achieving high-quality jobs with fair pay hinges on addressing corruption within Indonesia’s governance system. Transparency International ranks Indonesia at 110 out of 180 nations in its annual Corruption Perceptions Index, indicating room for improvement.
The role of the internet in Indonesian politics cannot be overlooked, as the country boasts one of the world’s largest digital populations, with over 210 million internet users. Social media plays a significant role in shaping public opinion, with 60% of voters under 40 considering it their primary source of information. However, online hoaxes, misinformation, and smear campaigns have been rampant, and the rise of AI technology has raised concerns about the spread of deepfakes during elections.
Environmental issues also feature prominently in the election. Indonesia’s rainforests, the third largest in the world, have suffered from industrial-led deforestation and land degradation. Lucrative businesses, such as palm oil and raw materials mining, often operate with few consequences for polluters and illegal land grabs. The development of a homegrown nickel processing industry to support the electric vehicle boom has further exacerbated environmental damage. Presidential candidates have differing stances on these issues, with Jokowi championing the relocation of the capital from Jakarta to Nusantara on Borneo