By: Jyot Shikhar Singh
The author is a Phd scholar at Jindal School of International Affairs. He can be reached at
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Jakarta’s 2024 General Elections have proven to be a turning point for the world’s third-largest democracy1. With over 190 million registered voters2 spread across the vast archipelago, the electoral process is a monumental feat of logistics, symbolizing the strength of democratic participation in Southeast Asia. The election this year was not just another round of political campaigning; rather, it represented growing differences on matters ranging from climate policy to economic inequality, and the outcome has already determined Indonesia's place in Southeast Asia and international affairs going forward. This election focused on the issues of economic recovery post-COVID-19, with the elected leadership promising to address unemployment, rising inflation, and corruption (Ssenyonga, 2021, pp. 9-16). However, the election outcome was not just about domestic matters. Indonesia’s role as a leading voice in ASEAN has gained momentum, and its foreign policy stance toward China and the U.S. will shape regional dynamics in the coming years (Natalegawa, 2018, p. 17).
The question of whether the recently elected administration can fulfil its promises of political stability and economic transformation while negotiating the complexity of Indonesia's varied population lingers as the dust settles on a contentious political environment.
Political Landscape of Jakarta:
The 2024 Indonesian General Elections showcased the complexity and dynamism of the country’s political topography. Even though a number of recognised politicians ran strong campaigns, the general population’s decision was influenced by a blend of party allegiance, populist rhetoric, and concerns about socio-economic stability. The performance of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), led by Megawati Sukarnoputri, who has long been a strong force in Indonesian politics, was one of the most noteworthy results3. However, the party faced serious opposition from emerging politicians, and the public's mounting discontent with the way the post-pandemic recovery and corruption scandals were handled undermined the PDI-P's position of power (Asfar, Wicaksana, & Asfar, 2024, pp. 6-14). Despite the hurdles, PDI-P still managed to secure a substantial portion of the vote4, reflecting its deep-seated influence (Saputra, Rahmatulah, Nurnajah, Firdaus, & Fahrizal, 2023).
Re-emerging as the front-runner of the Gerindra Party, Prabowo Subianto is also a prominent figure in Indonesian politics. His focus on economic protectionism, regional autonomy, and national defense resonated with the masses, particularly in rural and economically disadvantaged areas5. After losing by a slim margin in previous6 elections, Prabowo took advantage of the public's mounting apprehensions over outside influences, especially those originating from China (Iksan, 2024). With his win, Indonesia's regional relations may go through a transition toward conservativism and nationalism. Anies Baswedan, the former Jakarta governor, entered this contested election as a surprising candidate. With a platform centered on social welfare, educational reforms, and anti-corruption initiatives, Baswedan ran as a reformist under the banner of the NasDem Party (Luth et. al., 2023). Despite his failure to win the presidency, his impact has influenced the discourse by bringing focus on urgently required changes to public sector accountability and governance.
In this election, coalitions ended up playing a crucial role. The 2024 elections demonstrated the growing significance of multi-party coalitions, in contrast to prior years when political control was primarily based on single-party power (Anwar, 2024, p. 349). As per the election results7, no party has a clear majority, hence cooperation between the parties is required to maintain a functioning administration (Binningsbø, 2013)8. The formation of coalitions will probably influence Indonesia's legislative agenda and result in more negotiated policy results. As new coalitions take shape and Jakarta’s political future becomes clearer, the election results reflect deeper concerns among the electorate, particularly around key issues that dominated the campaigns.
As the country continues to struggle with the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak, economic recovery was a major subject of the election. The expense of living, growing inflation, and unemployment figured prominently in the programs of major parties. Promises to concentrate on economic protectionism, namely defending domestic sectors from foreign competition, helped Prabowo Subianto and his Gerindra Party garner a lot of support from rural and working-class voters (Ali Sahab, 2024, p. 4). Anies Baswedan, on the other hand, ran on a platform of reforming governance and social welfare. In order to appeal to urban voters who were dissatisfied with perceived inefficiencies in government services, he focused on subjects including healthcare access, education, and anti-corruption measures9. Even though Baswedan was not elected president, his emphasis on social reform has probably changed the political conversation and put pressure on the ruling party to deal with these issues.
With Indonesia under worldwide criticism for its handling of deforestation and climate change, environmental policy was another crucial topic. Though younger voters and environmental groups campaigned for more strong action against climate change, environmental concerns were overridden by economic issues despite global appeals for action (Tomsa, 2023). The candidates had to strike a balance between sustainable development and economic growth, which will continue to test Indonesia's leadership beyond the election. Another underlying subject was foreign policy, specifically in regard to Indonesia's relationship with China. Voters voiced worry about China's expanding influence in Southeast Asia as Indonesia tries to maintain its status as the region's leader. Voters who were apprehensive about foreign meddling were particularly drawn to Prabowo's positions on bolstering regional autonomy and national security10.
Challenges to the Electoral Process
Despite Indonesia’s reputation as a thriving democracy, the 2024 elections were not without significant challenges. Indonesia's large and geographically dispersed terrain made logistical challenges11 a major worry. It was challenging to guarantee voter access to voting places because the archipelago is made up of more than 17,000 islands and isolated settlements. Consequently, voting places in various areas, namely in Papua and Kalimantan, experienced delays in opening because of problems with communication and transportation12. The electoral picture was further challenged by the persistent issue of disinformation and misinformation. Social media platforms played a central role in disseminating fake news and misleading information, which confused voters and, in some cases, suppressed turnout (Arini, 2024). The spread of hoaxes, especially around the integrity of the election process, was exacerbated by weak media regulation, making it difficult to counteract the false narratives effectively (ibid.).
Concerns about electoral fraud also arisen, despite the lack of strong proof of widespread tampering. Nonetheless, there have been allegations of voter intimidation and bribery, especially in areas where political clientelism is still deeply ingrained (Berenschot, 2018, p. 1574). The transparency of the vote-counting process in some rural areas is called into question by these revelations. Finally, political stability was at stake due to post-election unrest. Despite widespread acceptance of the results, supporters of certain candidates staged intermittent protests in large cities, accusing the other candidates of unfair treatment13. These tensions highlight the underlying vulnerabilities in Indonesia’s democratic process, particularly in maintaining peace and order after contentious elections.
Conclusion
Prabowo’s elected leadership faces the task of fulfilling promises made during the campaign, particularly in addressing post-pandemic economic recovery, reforms within the country’s governance, and the country’s role in Southeast Asia. Even though he secured the 2024 presidency, his nationalistic rhetoric and protectionist economic stance have garnered both hope and skepticism. Future electoral system reforms in Indonesia will need to learn from the difficulties presented by disinformation, corruption, and logistical obstacles throughout the election cycle, which are not exclusive to 2024 but were also present in the 2019 general election. Furthermore, as Jakarta tries to assert its regional influence while preserving delicate diplomatic ties, especially with Beijing and Washington, Indonesia's status within ASEAN hangs in the balance.
The future is dependent on how Prabowo’s elected government will attempt to bridge the divide between its promises and the diverse needs of its electorate. The eyes of the world will be on Indonesia as it navigates this critical period in its democratic journey.
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