Indonesia holds presidential election
Indonesia will vote in the presidential election on the 17th. Indonesia's 190 million registered voters will go to more than 800,000 polling stations across the country to vote to elect a new president and vice president.
Voting for this election began at 7 am local time on the same day. Before this vote, about 2 million registered voters from overseas have successively gone to polling stations set up by Indonesian embassies and consulates to complete their votes.
In this election, the current President Joko Widodo and his running partner Maruf Amin, elected by the Indonesian Struggle Democratic Party and its coalition, will join forces with Prabowo, a retired general elected by the Great Indonesian Action Party and its coalition. Subianto and his running partner Sandiaga Uno compete for the president and vice president.
The 17th is a public holiday in Indonesia. Pedestrians and vehicles are scarce on the streets of Jakarta, the capital. Polling stations in various places opened early that day to start the election voting process. In a small polling station in the eastern part of Jakarta, preparations were ready less than 6 o'clock. Many people arrived early and lined up to vote. Many voters also carefully checked the list of candidates and their respective policies at the polling station, and the scene was in order.
Halima, a 35-year-old female voter, told reporters after voting that there are some differences in the reform and development of Indonesian society. "We hope to bridge the differences of all parties in this peaceful and democratic way and move forward in unity."
To ensure the smooth progress of the vote, the Indonesian government has deployed about 600,000 police and military personnel across the country. In addition, security personnel from paramilitary forces are also strengthening protection around polling stations.
The counting of votes in the Indonesian presidential election usually lasts a long time, and the official election results will be announced in early May. However, the result of the quick count, which basically reflects the electoral vote rate, is expected to be announced on the evening of the 17th. The winner will be sworn in in October this year, and the term will end in 2024.
On the 17th, Indonesia also held parliamentary elections once every five years. Voters will also vote for 575 members of Congress, as well as members of provincial and county councils and local representative councils.
Indonesia has a presidential system. The President is the head of state, head of government and supreme commander of the armed forces. Since 2004, the president and vice president have been directly elected by the people. The president appoints a cabinet, and the cabinet is accountable to the president.
On April 17, voters cast their votes at a polling station in Jakarta, Indonesia. Indonesia held a presidential election to vote on the 17th. Indonesia's 190 million registered voters will go to more than 800,000 polling stations across the country to vote to elect a new president and vice president.