Presidential Elections

Official campaigning for the upcoming presidential elections here in Indonesia has begun. Here are some interesting facts about the election:

• Indonesia is the world's 3rd largest democracy. There are close to 190 million people eligible to vote in this election and they are spread out on hundreds of islands in everything from big cities to small villages. 
• This is only the 3rd time that the people have been able to directly elect their president.
• Social media like Twitter and Facebook are playing a large role in the election as information (both true and false) can be shared quickly. For example, many people couldn't watch the debate last Sunday on TV because they don't have a TV but they do have a cell phone with Facebook or Twitter, so instead they followed it via social media. 

Presidential candidates Joko Widodo and Prabowo Subianto shake hands after the second presidential debate on June 15, 2014. (EPA Photo/Adi Weda)

There are two candidates (and their respective vice presidential candidates) running in the election. There are twelve political parties in Indonesia, so narrowing it down was quite the process, which involved legislative elections in April and then lots of bargaining and coalition building. The two candidates are quite different but it will be a tough decision. Joko is a the governor of Jakarta and is quite progressive but he also does not have a lot of experience. He has however picked a man with a lot of experience as his vice president. The other candidate is Prabowo and he has many years of experiences serving in the military and in politics but it is a checkered past. So the people of Indonesia have a tough choice ahead of them as they choose the future of their country. There are two topics guaranteed to stimulate lots of conversation here in Indonesia right now - the election and the fact that it is durian season :) 

For those that are interested here are a few articles with more information:

An article in The Economist about how the race is too close to call right now.

Another article from The Economist about the process following the legislative elections, when no one party got a majority.

An editorial from an Indonesian newspaper, The Jakarta Globe, about how the close race is strengthening democracy in Indonesia. (don't worry it is in English!)

Finally, another editorial from The Jakarta Globe, about the first debate, which outlines some of the differences between the two candidates.

The election is in just a few weeks, on July 9th, and it will be exciting to watch. Please be praying the process goes smoothly and safely.