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Jakarta election: Tense run-off expected for governor post | Jakarta election: Tense run-off expected for governor post |
(35 minutes later) | |
Voters in Jakarta are choosing a governor in a run-off election, that has been called "the dirtiest and most divisive" in Indonesia. | |
Polls suggest it is a close race between incumbent Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, a Christian, and 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. |
Security is tight in the Indonesian capital amid heightened racial and religious tensions. | |
Mr Purnama won the first round, but not by enough of a margin. | Mr Purnama won the first round, but not by enough of a margin. |
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. | 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. |
The tensions were sparked by a controversy surrounding Mr Purnama, who is accused of mocking a Koranic verse for which he is on trial for blasphemy. He has denied the charges. | |
Mr Purnama, also popularly known as "Ahok", voted with his family at a polling station in north Jakarta early on Wednesday morning. | 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." | 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. | 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. | 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." | 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? | What is the controversy about? |
Mr Purnama was accused last year of insulting a Koranic verse during a campaign speech. | 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. |
But Mr Purnama 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. His trial is due to resume on Thursday. | 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. |
Hundreds of thousands have taken part in protest rallies led by Islamist groups against Mr Purnama in recent months. | |
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%. | 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%. |
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 Joko 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 the country? | |
The Jakarta Post has described the campaign as "the dirtiest, most polarising and most divisive the nation has ever seen". | 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. | 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. | The election has also seen anti-Chinese sentiment, sparking unease in a country that has seen violence against its Chinese minority previously. |