2014 Indonesian presidential election

2014 Indonesian presidential election
Twotwofourtysix · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Election name	2014 Indonesian presidential election
Country	Indonesia
Type	presidential
Previous election	2009 Indonesian presidential election
Previous year	2009
Next election	2019 Indonesian presidential election
Next year	2019
Election date	9 July 2014 (first round not required)
Candidates	Joko Widodo, Prabowo Subianto
Running mates	Jusuf Kalla, Hatta Rajasa
Turnout	69.58%

2014 Indonesian presidential election was held on 9 July 2014 to choose the President and Vice President of Indonesia. The contest followed the end of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's two-term presidency and featured leading figures from Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, Great Indonesia Movement Party, and several major political coalitions. The election produced a narrow victory that led to extensive legal challenges and a transition involving prominent Indonesian institutions and international observers.

Background

The election occurred after the constitutional two-term limit established following the fall of Suharto and the reformasi period that involved actors such as Megawati Sukarnoputri, Abdurrahman Wahid, and institutions like the People's Consultative Assembly and the General Elections Commission (Indonesia). Economic and social issues shaped the context, with policy debates influenced by figures from Bank Indonesia, the Ministry of Finance (Indonesia), and regional leaders including governors of Jakarta and Central Java. The political landscape involved party dynamics among Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, Golkar, Gerindra, National Mandate Party, and coalitions that reflected alliances between elites such as Prabowo Subianto and business networks linked to families like the Bakrie family.

Candidates and Coalitions

The main tickets were Joko Widodo with Jusuf Kalla and Prabowo Subianto with Hatta Rajasa. Jokowi, former Mayor of Surakarta and Governor of Jakarta, was backed by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle and allied parties including Nasdem Party, PKB (National Awakening Party), and Hanura. Prabowo, a former Lieutenant General and ex-son-in-law of Suharto, led the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) and formed a coalition with Golkar, National Mandate Party, Prosperous Justice Party, and other parties. Running mates reflected strategic balances: Jusuf Kalla was associated with the Golkar era and Indosat-era business circles, while Hatta Rajasa came from the National Mandate Party and former cabinets of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Campaigns and Debates

Campaigning featured mass rallies in venues like Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, televised debates organized by the General Elections Commission (Indonesia), and outreach through social media platforms involving networks tied to Twitter (service), Facebook, and local media conglomerates such as Media Group (Indonesia). Debates included topics referencing institutions like Corruption Eradication Commission and security discussions invoking the legacy of Reformasi and regional concerns in Aceh, Papua, and Kalimantan. Campaign strategies deployed endorsements from cultural figures linked to the Indonesian film industry, religious leaders from organizations like Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, and business elites connected to conglomerates such as Sinar Mas Group and Bakrie Group.

Election Procedures and Legal Framework

The election was administered by the General Elections Commission (Indonesia) under constitutional rules from the 2008 constitutional amendments and statutes overseeing the Constitution of Indonesia. Voter registration processes involved the General Elections Commission (Indonesia) and civil registration systems managed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (Indonesia). Legal oversight and dispute resolution fell within the remit of the Constitutional Court of Indonesia and electoral litigation procedures influenced by precedents from earlier contests including the 2004 Indonesian presidential election and the 2009 Indonesian presidential election. International observers from organizations such as the Asian Network for Free Elections and embassies from United States, Australia, and European Union monitored compliance with electoral law.

Opinion Polls and Media Coverage

Opinion polling by firms like Lembaga Survei Indonesia, Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting, and Indikator Politik Indonesia showed fluctuating leads for both candidates in provinces such as West Java, East Java, and Banten. Coverage by media outlets including Kompas, The Jakarta Post, MetroTV, and TVRI shaped public discourse, while investigative reporting by outlets like Tempo (Indonesian magazine) examined campaign finance and allegations tied to figures from Pertamina and state-linked enterprises. Social media analytics and trending topics on platforms linked to the Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Indonesia) added a layer of digital mobilization studied by academics at Universitas Indonesia and Gadjah Mada University.

Results and Aftermath

The official result declared Joko Widodo and Jusuf Kalla the winners, with a national plurality reflecting strong support in urban areas such as Jakarta and parts of Sumatra and Sulawesi. The outcome led to cabinet formation processes engaging parties like Golkar, Nasdem Party, and PKB, and subsequent appointments involved figures from institutions including the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and the Ministry of Finance (Indonesia). The transition engaged the State Palace (Indonesia) and ceremonies with diplomatic attendees from countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan.

Controversies and Legal Challenges

Post-election disputes were filed with the Constitutional Court of Indonesia by the Prabowo ticket alleging irregularities, prompting hearings that referenced precedents involving the 2004 Indonesian presidential election. Allegations involved actors from campaign teams, security personnel linked to former Indonesian National Armed Forces officers, and scrutiny of voter lists maintained by the General Elections Commission (Indonesia). International reactions included statements from the United States Department of State and observer missions from regional bodies like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations urging legal resolution. The court ultimately upheld the result, and the aftermath included calls for electoral reform addressed by lawmakers in the People's Representative Council, civil society groups such as Transparency International Indonesia, and academic analyses from LIPI and university researchers.

Category:Presidential elections in Indonesia