Indonesians lined up on Wednesday to vote in an election to choose between a Muslim and a Christian candidate to govern Jakarta, after a bruising campaign marred by religious tensions in the capital of the world's third-largest democracy.
The vote is expected to be a close race between the incumbent, Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama – the city's first Christian and ethnic-Chinese leader – and a former education minister, Anies Baswedan, who like 85 percent of Jakarta's residents, is Muslim.
Security appeared light at several polling stations, though police said 66,000 personnel would be deployed in the city of some 10 million people.
The election is viewed as a test for Indonesia's young democracy and record of religious tolerance, with both sides raising concerns about intimidation and voter fraud.
"Don't let any cheating happen, because the future of Jakarta is determined by the election today," Purnama told reporters after voting with his family in North Jakarta.
"The military and the police have guaranteed safety, so don't be afraid," he added on Metro TV, dressed in a plain white shirt rather than the trademark checkered shirt worn by his supporters.
Authorities in a neighbouring province on Java island searched private cars and public buses heading for Jakarta on Tuesday for sharp objects and explosives.
Given Jakarta's outsized importance as both the nation's capital and commercial centre, the election is also viewed as a barometer for a 2019 presidential election.
Purnama is backed by President Joko Widodo's ruling party.
Religious tensions have been an undercurrent in the campaign, with Purnama on trial for blasphemy over comments he made last year that many took to be insulting to Islam.
Hundreds of thousands of Muslims took to the streets late last year to call for his sacking and to urge voters not to elect a non-Muslim leader. One person died and more than 100 were injured after one protest turned violent.
Purnama faces up to five years in jail if convicted of blasphemy. His trial will resume on Thursday, when prosecutors will submit their sentence request.
Baswedan, is backed by a conservative retired general, Prabowo Subianto, who lost to Widodo in a 2014 presidential vote.
"My hope is for peace ... no disorder," said one voter, Suti, who cast her ballot at the South Jakarta polling station where Baswedan is due to vote and, like many Indonesians, goes by one name.
About 7 million people are eligible to vote until 1 p.m. (0600 GMT), when polling stations close.
Private pollsters, approved by the national elections commission, are expected to announce an unofficial tabulation of a sample of votes, known as "quick counts", within a few hours of polls closing. The elections commission is expected to announce official results by the first week of May.
The loser can contest the results in the Constitutional Court, which could prolong political uncertainty for weeks.
Citigroup said in an investor note that, despite the potential for renewed protests if Purnama won, it was maintaining a Jakarta stock index target of 6,150 by the end of 2017, up from around 5,600 now.
"As long as there are no security issues, the election outcome should not significantly stall the reform programme of the national government, in our view," it said.
Reuters
Wed Apr 19 2017
![Indonesians vote in Jakarta poll marred by religious divisions Indonesians vote in Jakarta poll marred by religious divisions](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2017-04/61492568184_Jakarta.jpg)
Incumbent Governor Basuki -Ahok- Tjahaja Purnama holds up his ink stained finger along with his wife Veronica Tan and his son Nicholas (L) after casting his vote the Jakarta governor election in North Jakarta, Indonesia April 19, 2017. - REUTERS
![LHDN berjaya kutip RM512.6 juta melalui PKPS 2.0 - Amir Hamzah LHDN berjaya kutip RM512.6 juta melalui PKPS 2.0 - Amir Hamzah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61719994976_TBAMIRHAMZAHjpg.jpg)
LHDN berjaya kutip RM512.6 juta melalui PKPS 2.0 - Amir Hamzah
LHDN telah mengutip RM512.6 juta daripada keseluruhan taksiran cukai berjumlah RM1.29 billion sepanjang tempoh PKPS 2.0.
Positif COVID-19 tidak perlu kemaskini MySejahtera
Jika didapati positif Covid-19, para pesakit tidak lagi perlu untuk mengemaskini status kesihatan terkini di aplikasi Mysejahtera, kerana covid seharusnya dirawat sama seperti jangkitan saluran penafasan yang lain.
Kandungan video promosi Georgetown Festival diturunkan
Pasukan George Town Festival 2024 telah menurunkan semua siaran berkaitan video promosi sambutan 'George Town Festival 2024' atas dakwaan menyinggung perasaan budaya Melayu di Pulau Pinang yang seperti dilupai.
Ia berikutan tular penyiaran video promosi sambutan 'George Town Festival 2024' yang didakwa hanya mempromosikan kebudayaan kaum Cina dan India.
Ia berikutan tular penyiaran video promosi sambutan 'George Town Festival 2024' yang didakwa hanya mempromosikan kebudayaan kaum Cina dan India.
![KPM akan teliti sukarelawan dari Singapura, alu-alukan pesara guru Bahasa Inggeris di Malaysia KPM akan teliti sukarelawan dari Singapura, alu-alukan pesara guru Bahasa Inggeris di Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/61717914416_TBfadhlinasidek.jpg)
KPM akan teliti sukarelawan dari Singapura, alu-alukan pesara guru Bahasa Inggeris di Malaysia
KPM sentiasa terbuka dan mengalu-alukan pesara guru bahasa Inggeris dalam negara untuk terlibat dalam PdP bagi meningkatkan penguasaan bahasa tersebut.
Pengajar Bahasa Inggeris dari Singapura, antara tumpuan
Penglibatan tenaga pengajar dari Singapura antara yang menjadi tumpuan di Dewan Rakyat pada Isnin.
Negara kekurangan tekong, beri kesan kekurangan ikan
Malaysia berhadapan kekurangan tekong tempatan berpengalaman yang ketara untuk kapal nelayan tempatan, terutama bagi perikanan laut dalam.
Menteri Pertanian dan Keterjaminan Makanan Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu berkata lebih ramai tekong tempatan perlu dilahirkan, kerana pada ketika ini orang luar terpaksa digunakan dan diberi peluang untuk berkhidmat sebagai tekong kapal nelayan tempatan di negara ini.
Menteri Pertanian dan Keterjaminan Makanan Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu berkata lebih ramai tekong tempatan perlu dilahirkan, kerana pada ketika ini orang luar terpaksa digunakan dan diberi peluang untuk berkhidmat sebagai tekong kapal nelayan tempatan di negara ini.
Jenayah: Polis sahkan suspek teman lelaki Nur Farah Kartini
Lelaki yang ditahan polis bagi membantu siasatan berhubung penemuan mayat Nur Farah Kartini Abdullah, adalah teman lelakinya.
Suspek kes kematian Nur Farah Kartini direman tujuh hari
Seorang penjawat awam yang dikaitkan dengan penemuan mayat Nur Farah Kartini Abdullah, direman selama tujuh hari bagi membantu siasatan kes tersebut.
[TERKINI] Pan Gon bakal umum letak jawatan hari ini?
Tidak ada maklumat lanjut berkaitan sidang media berkenaan walaupun desas desus mengatakan ia melibatkan kepimpinan tertinggi FAM atau barisan kejurulatihan skuad Harimau Malaya?
Bukan masa sesuai untuk perkenalkan semula GST - Amir Hamzah
Menteri Kewangan II, Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan berkata bukan masa sesuai untuk perkenal semula GST. Katanya, kerajaan hanya akan perkenalkan cukai yang tidak memberi kesan kepada golongan rentan.
#AWANInews #SisiTVParlimen
#AWANInews #SisiTVParlimen
![Pilihan raya mengejut: Amanah gesa PH segera persiapkan jentera Pilihan raya mengejut: Amanah gesa PH segera persiapkan jentera](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-12/71575795252_MohamadSabu.jpg)
Pilihan raya mengejut: Amanah gesa PH segera persiapkan jentera
Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) menggesa semua parti komponen Pakatan Harapan (PH) mempersiapkan jentera pilihan raya dengan kadar segera.
![Rehat sebentar dari politik Malaysia, hiburkan diri dengan Bruno Mars Rehat sebentar dari politik Malaysia, hiburkan diri dengan Bruno Mars](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-05/41525873906_BrunoMars.jpg)
Rehat sebentar dari politik Malaysia, hiburkan diri dengan Bruno Mars
Ketika rakyat Malaysia rancak berbual tentang keputusan PRU14, yang sedang diumumkan pada malam ini, penyanyi Bruno Mars menggegarkan Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil.
![Menjelang 'Grand Finale', borak luar garisan politik dominasi media sosial Menjelang 'Grand Finale', borak luar garisan politik dominasi media sosial](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-05/61525788046_politicflags.jpg)
Menjelang 'Grand Finale', borak luar garisan politik dominasi media sosial
Pengguna media sosial lebih bebas menyatakan pendapat mengenai PRU14 dan politik dan tidak dibayangi oleh pemimpin-pemimpin atau parti-parti politik.
![Undi luar negara tidak beri kesan kepada kerusi marginal? Undi luar negara tidak beri kesan kepada kerusi marginal?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-05/51525693619_DatukNurJazlan.jpg)
Undi luar negara tidak beri kesan kepada kerusi marginal?
Walaupun calon Parlimen Pulai mengakui undi luar negara tidak memberi kesan kepada keputusan di kerusi itu kelak, ia tetap tidak mengubah kedudukan kerusi itu sebagai salah satu kerusi marginal.
![PRU14: Beban berat buat Fahmi Fadzil untuk teruskan legasi Nurul Izzah PRU14: Beban berat buat Fahmi Fadzil untuk teruskan legasi Nurul Izzah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-04/41524754599_PKR.jpg)
PRU14: Beban berat buat Fahmi Fadzil untuk teruskan legasi Nurul Izzah
Kerja kuat pencabar daripada BN, Datuk Seri Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin, juga mungkin menyebabkan laluan Fahmi ke Parlimen lebih sukar.
![PRU14: Karpet merah atau onak duri menanti Tun M di Langkawi? PRU14: Karpet merah atau onak duri menanti Tun M di Langkawi?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-04/71523866070_TunM.jpg)
PRU14: Karpet merah atau onak duri menanti Tun M di Langkawi?
Adakah Langkawi bakal beri laluan mudah kepada Tun M?
![Climate change in Malaysia and what it means for us Climate change in Malaysia and what it means for us](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-03/81521630303_ClimateChange.jpg)
Climate change in Malaysia and what it means for us
The worlds climate is changing for the worse, and humans are responsible for that. Lets dive into a touch of science to make sense of this.
![Beri peluang Umno terajui BN P. Pinang - Reezal Merican Beri peluang Umno terajui BN P. Pinang - Reezal Merican](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2013-04/51367278616_295x200.jpg)
Beri peluang Umno terajui BN P. Pinang - Reezal Merican
Barisan Nasional (BN) Pulau Pinang wajar memberi peluang kepada Umno untuk mengetuai barisan kepimpinan parti itu bagi memulihkan kepercayaan rakyat di negeri ini.
![PR teruskan perhimpunan bantah keputusan PRU-13 PR teruskan perhimpunan bantah keputusan PRU-13](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2013-05/71368025880_295x200.jpg)
PR teruskan perhimpunan bantah keputusan PRU-13
Pakatan Rakyat (PR) meneruskan perhimpunan pasca pilihan raya umum ke-13 (PRU-13)di Stadium Kelana Jaya malam ini.
![Bantahan terbuka tidak akan ubah keputusan PRU13 - SPR Bantahan terbuka tidak akan ubah keputusan PRU13 - SPR](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2013-02/81360054544_295x200.jpg)
Bantahan terbuka tidak akan ubah keputusan PRU13 - SPR
Sebarang bantahan terbuka atau perhimpunan tidak mampu mengubah keputusan pilihan raya umum atau mengakibatkan ia diadakan semula, kata Pengerusi Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya.