Indonesia: General elections to be held April 17

Event

Indonesia is scheduled to hold general elections on Wednesday, April 17. Voters will elect candidates for the presidency, vice presidency, and to the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), Indonesia's legislative body. Election day is a national holiday and business and governmental disruptions are expected nationwide. Political rallies and demonstrations are likely in the coming weeks ahead of the elections, along with heightened security measures and transportation disruptions during any such events.

Context

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, avoid all political demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.