Indonesia election 2024: everything you need to know about the world’s largest single-day vote

If none of the candidates receives a simple majority of more than 50 per cent of the votes on February 14, a second round of voting will be held on June 26.

This election cycle has been marked by controversies, particularly surrounding concerns of democratic backsliding in the country, which have prompted questions about President Widodo’s influence over state institutions to favour his preferred candidate: front runner Prabowo.

Here are some key things to know about the candidates, the parties and the controversies that have led up to the election.

After 10 years in power, Widodo is required to step down from office having completed the constitutionally mandated maximum of two terms.

Widodo, known popularly as Jokowi, is the seventh president of Indonesia and has maintained popularity among the public, reflected by recent approval ratings of more than 70 per cent.

Widodo’s son is running for vice-president on Prabowo Subianto’s ticket, earning the former defence minister the president’s tacit support, and making him this election’s front runner.

Also largely running on a policy of continuity is the ruling party’s candidate, Ganjar Pranowo, who has paired up with former security minister Mahfud MD.

Ganjar was initially viewed as successor to Widodo, as they both belonged to the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P). But Widodo’s full endorsement never came, and support for Ganjar dwindled.

The only opposition candidate is former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan, running alongside Muhaimin Iskandar who has strong ties with Indonesia’s biggest Islamic organisation Nahdlatul Ulama with some 40 million members.

A former university rector, Anies received plaudit for his work on improving infrastructure in Jakarta during his