Indonesia election: Millions vote in ‘identity-defining’ poll

(FASTNEWS|COLOMBO) – Indonesians have begun voting in one of the world’s largest elections after a bitter campaign in which religion has played a prominent role.

The presidential race is a re-match of the 2014 contest, with incumbent Joko Widodo taking on ex-general Prabowo Subianto.

Both have made political moves in line with the increased prominence of conservative Islam in the country.

Mr Widodo, looking to win another five-year term, is seen as the frontrunner.

Polling is scheduled to close at 06:00 GMT and a series of “quick counts” are expected to give preliminary results within hours.

However, the election commission will announce the final result in May.

Analysts say the two main contenders, apart from their views on Chinese investment, have not presented wildly different policy platforms.

“Therefore, the only contrast they can draw is by showing their religious credentials,” said Made Supriatma, a visiting fellow and Indonesia expert at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. Identity politics, he said, were “front and centre” in this election.

“This election is a ‘race to the right’… a race to show who is more Islamic conservative.”

Muslim-majority Indonesia is made up of thousands of islands and has more than 260 million people. It is home to the world’s largest Muslim population. BBC