Jakarta governor's post focus of Indonesia elections

By Ainur Rohmah

TUBAN, Indonesia

Tens of millions of Indonesians cast their votes Wednesday in regional elections across the archipelago, according to local media.

The focus of the elections was the governor’s post in the capital Jakarta where the incumbent Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, known as Ahok, was ahead in early exit polls.

Charta Politica put Purnama, an ethnic Chinese Christian and an ally of President Joko Widodo, on 43.75 percent while his closest rival, ex- Education Minister Anies Baswedan, was on 39.28 percent.

Indobarometer suggested Purnama would take 43.77 percent of the vote with Baswedan taking 39.14 percent.

Purnama is seeking to become the first Christian governor of Jakarta after he was appointed to the role by Widodo in 2014.

The official results are expected around March 8 but if the winner cannot secure more than 50 percent, a runoff will be held in April.

Purnama, who is backed by the country’s ruling party the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), said victory in the first round would be due to his supporters and volunteers.

“We thank you, the struggle has not finished,” he said, according to news website kompas.com.

Purnama fought the election under the shadow of blasphemy allegations in the world’s most populous Muslim nation over remarks he made about a Quran verse last year. His supporters say the prosecution was orchestrated by opponents to damage his campaign.

Nearly 42 million voters were selecting officials for more than 100 positions across Indonesia -- seven provincial governors, 18 city governors and 76 district chiefs.