More than 200 million people are expected to vote in Indonesia's general election on Wednesday, which is being hailed as the world's biggest election day. This highly anticipated event will determine the country's new president, as the race narrows down to three contenders: a former army general and two former governors.
At the forefront of the race is 72-year-old Prabowo Subianto, who is endeavoring to shed the alleged human rights abuses linked to his name in previous attempts at winning the Indonesian presidency. Despite concerns from human rights defenders, Prabowo believes that the fate of his candidacy ultimately rests in the hands of the voters. He has been accused of involvement in the kidnapping and disappearance of democracy activists in the 1990s, as well as the mistreatment of ethnic minorities in East Timor and West Papua during his tenure as a special forces commander under the rule of former dictator Suharto. However, Prabowo adamantly denies these accusations.
While some critics argue that Prabowo's image transformation tactics, including collaboration with PR companies and influencers, have been effective in refashioning his public persona, others assert that his political connections, notably with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), have played a significant role in his current frontrunner status. Prabowo aims to secure at least 50% of the vote on Wednesday to avoid a runoff and claim the presidency, which he lost to Jokowi in the previous two elections.
Interestingly, Prabowo's rivals in this three-horse race, Ganja Pranowo and Aniz Bazwidan, have also prioritized engaging with Indonesia's young voters. With approximately 200 million registered voters being Millennials or Gen Z, capturing their support has become crucial for the candidates. Aniz, a former governor of Jakarta, has capitalized on the K-pop craze as part of his campaign strategy, while Ganja has accumulated the largest number of TikTok followers among the three candidates.
Despite the emphasis on appealing to younger voters, Prabowo is also seen by many Indonesians as the candidate who represents continuity. This perception is reinforced by his running mate, Jokowi's eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka. The country's enormous electorate casts its votes in a single day, making this election one of the world's most complex. As the archipelago nation is composed of thousands of islands, the logistical undertaking is truly remarkable.
Beyond style and campaign tactics, the chosen candidate will be entrusted with addressing the concerns and issues that resonate with Indonesian voters, such as the cost of living and environmental concerns. This election is viewed as a referendum on Jokowi's legacy, which is rooted in the country's strong economic performance during his tenure. It is worth noting that some analysts speculate about a potential agreement between the front-runner Prabowo and President Jokowi, in which Jokowi may exert influence behind the scenes once his term concludes in October.
By the end of this monumental day of voting, Indonesia will soon know who will be its next president. The world eagerly awaits the outcome of this intricate and consequential election, as it will shape the nation's future for the years to come.
