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Jakarta election: Tense run-off expected for governor post Jakarta election: Tense run-off expected for governor post
(about 1 hour later)
Voters in the Indonesian capital Jakarta are electing a governor after a campaign which has seen heightened religious and racial tensions. Voters in Jakarta are choosing a governor in a run-off election, after a campaign that has seen heightened religious and racial tensions.
Opinion polls suggest incumbent Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, a Christian, is running neck-and-neck with Anies Rasyid Baswedan, a Muslim. Polls suggest it is a close race between incumbent Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, a Christian, and Anies Rasyid Baswedan, a Muslim.
Mr Purnama won the first round in February with 43% of the vote, while Mr Baswedan had 40%. Security is tight in the Indonesian capital amid fears of voter intimidation.
Mr Purnama is currently on trial on blasphemy charges. Mr Purnama won the first round, but not by enough of a margin.
He is accused of mocking a verse in the Koran. The tensions were sparked by a political controversy surrounding Mr Purnama, who is accused of mocking a Koranic verse and is on trial for blasphemy. He has denied the charges.
Hundreds of thousands have taken part in protest rallies led by Islamist groups against Mr Purnama in recent months.
BBC Indonesian editor Rebecca Henschke says that though extra security officers have been deployed to polling stations, the mood in the capital is not overly tense and there is still a festive atmosphere.
Mr Purnama, also popularly known as "Ahok", voted with his family at a polling station in north Jakarta early on Wednesday morning.
He told reporters: "Jakartans must use their voice as the future of Jakarta is in their hands. Don't be afraid, the police are here providing security."
A coalition of hardline Islamic groups supporting Mr Basedan said it was deploying at least 100 monitors at each polling station across the capital.
Rizieq Shihab, leader of the Islamic Defenders Front which has been leading protests against Mr Purnama, has also cast his vote.
Asked by the BBC if his group was damaging Indonesia's pluralist democracy, he said: "Democracy doesn't stop someone from voting for a person from the same religion as you.... Christian vote for Christian, Muslims vote for Muslim."
What is the controversy about?
Mr Purnama was accused last year of insulting a Koranic verse during a campaign speech.
The verse had been used by his opponents in the world's most-populous Muslim country to argue that Muslims should not vote for a non-Muslim leader.The verse had been used by his opponents in the world's most-populous Muslim country to argue that Muslims should not vote for a non-Muslim leader.
Mr Purnama, or "Ahok" denies blasphemy, saying his comments were aimed at politicians "incorrectly" using the Koran against him. But Mr Purnama denies blasphemy, saying his comments were aimed at politicians "incorrectly" using the Koran against him.
If convicted, he faces a maximum five-year jail sentence, though could still govern while appeals are heard. If convicted, he faces a maximum five-year jail sentence, though could still govern while appeals are heard. His trial is due to resume on Thursday.
During the campaign, hundreds of thousands of people took part in protest rallies against Mr Purnama. The controversy has clearly hurt Mr Purnama's chances. Once considered the clear frontrunner, he won the first round of the election in February with only 43% of the vote, while Mr Baswedan had 40%.
A coalition of hardline Islamic groups that supports Mr Basedan says it is deploying at least 100 monitors at each polling station across the capital.
Police have warned that any physical or psychological intimidation is illegal, while President Joko Widodo has called for calm.
The Jakarta Post has described the campaign as "the dirtiest, most polarising and most divisive the nation has ever seen".
This election is being seen as a choice between the secular policies Indonesia has practised since independence and a hardline political Islam that has strengthened in recent years, the BBC's Rebecca Henschke in Jakarta reports.
Mr Purnama is the first Christian and minority ethnic Chinese leader of Jakarta in over 50 years.Mr Purnama is the first Christian and minority ethnic Chinese leader of Jakarta in over 50 years.
He stepped into the role from the deputy post without election in 2014, when his predecessor, Mr Widodo, became president. He stepped into the role from the deputy post without election in 2014, when his predecessor, Mr Joko Widodo, became president.
How has it affected Indonesia?
The Jakarta Post has described the campaign as "the dirtiest, most polarising and most divisive the nation has ever seen".
This election is being seen as a choice between the secular policies Indonesia has practised since independence and a hardline political Islam that has strengthened in recent years, our correspondent says.
About 85% of Indonesia's population are Muslim, but the country officially respects six religions.About 85% of Indonesia's population are Muslim, but the country officially respects six religions.
The election has also seen anti-Chinese sentiment, sparking unease in a country that has seen violence against its Chinese minority previously.