Indonesia: Court upholds President Joko Widodo’s election June 27 /update 11

Event

On Thursday, June 27, the Constitutional Court (MK) upheld President Joko Widodo's victory of April 17 presidential elections. Protests and public demonstrations are possible in the coming hours and days, notably in Jakarta; clashes between protesters and security forces and telecommunication disruptions, including social media outages, cannot be ruled out. A heightened security presence is expected across the capital, particularly by the Constitutional Court (MK) building, Merdeka Palace, the General Election Commission (KPU), and other prominent government and foreign embassy buildings. Associated transportation disruptions are expected.

Earlier in the day, up to 47,000 security personnel were deployed in Jakarta for the announcement of the court ruling.

Context

The Constitutional Court (MK) will announce its decision in a lawsuit filed by presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto disputing the results of the April 17 election and claiming fraud. Large protests erupted in Jakarta following the announcement of official results on May 22, resulting in eight deaths, 250 arrests, and wounded 300. Social media platforms were banned for several days during the protests.

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo won reelection over challenger Prabowo Subianto with 55.5 percent of the vote.

Advice

Individuals in Jakarta, and Indonesia more generally, are advised to monitor the situation, refrain from discussing political subjects in public or on social media, avoid all public demonstrations as a precaution, anticipate a heightened security presence, transportation disruptions, and telecommunication outages, and maintain redundant modes of communication.