Indonesia: Indonesia makes final preparations for April 17 elections /update 2

Event

Indonesia is finalizing preparations for the Wednesday, April 17, elections held across the entire country. A campaign blackout period began on Sunday, April 14, following several days of large political rallies. Heightened security measures, crowds, and limited commercial and government services are expected across the country on Wednesday, particularly near polling stations. The election is expected to be largely peaceful, though public demonstrations and clashes between rival political groups or with security forces cannot be ruled out in the coming days.

Context

Approximately 193 million registered voters may head to the 809,000 polls across Indonesia on Wednesday, April 17, to vote for president, vice president, and legislative representatives. Incumbent President Joko Widodo, also known as Jokowi, of the PDI-P faces challenger Gerindra party candidate Prabowo Subianto, a retired general who previously ran in 2014. Jokowi selected Nahdlatul Ulama leader Ma'ruf Amin as his running mate and Prabowo's vice presidential candidate is Jakarta Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno.

Advice

Individuals in Indonesia are advised to monitor developments to the situation, anticipate heightened security measures, crowded conditions, and business and government disruptions, avoid all public gatherings as a precaution, avoid discussing political topics in public or on social media, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.