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Jakarta election: Polling for divisive governor contest closes Jakarta election: Polling for divisive governor contest closes
(about 2 hours later)
Polling has closed in a run-off election for the post of Jakarta's governor, seen by many as a key test for Indonesia's secular identity.Polling has closed in a run-off election for the post of Jakarta's governor, seen by many as a key test for Indonesia's secular identity.
The candidates are incumbent Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, a Christian of Chinese descent, and Anies Rasyid Baswedan, a Muslim. The two candidates are the incumbent Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, a Christian of Chinese descent, and Anies Rasyid Baswedan, a Muslim.
Critics of Mr Purnama have accused him of blasphemy, heightening racial and religious tensions.Critics of Mr Purnama have accused him of blasphemy, heightening racial and religious tensions.
Officials are expected to announce early results soon. Exit polls show Mr Baswedan winning but official results are still awaited.
Hardline Islamist groups say Mr Purnama insulted a Koranic verse during a campaign speech and have rallied large crowds against him in recent months. He is now on trial for blasphemy, which he denies.Hardline Islamist groups say Mr Purnama insulted a Koranic verse during a campaign speech and have rallied large crowds against him in recent months. He is now on trial for blasphemy, which he denies.
Correspondents say this has made the election a choice between secularism and a growing hardline Islamist movement in Indonesia.Correspondents say this has made the election a choice between secularism and a growing hardline Islamist movement in Indonesia.
How did the vote go?How did the vote go?
BBC Indonesian editor Rebecca Henschke says that though extra security officers have been deployed to polling stations, the mood in Jakarta has not been overly tense, and there is still a festive atmosphere. Unofficial counts by approved private polling companies appear to show that Mr Baswedan has secured a strong lead, with a margin in the double digits.
The official result will be announced in early May.
BBC Indonesian editor Rebecca Henschke says although extra security officers have been deployed to polling stations, the mood in Jakarta has not been overly tense, and the vote was held amid a festive atmosphere.
Police said the election proceeded "smoothly and safely with no significant disruption", although there were a few "incidents". Reuters reported that 15 people were detained after disturbances at polling stations.Police said the election proceeded "smoothly and safely with no significant disruption", although there were a few "incidents". Reuters reported that 15 people were detained after disturbances at polling stations.
A coalition of hardline Islamic groups supporting Mr Basedan previously said that it would send at least 100 activists to each polling station to monitor voting. But correspondents said they had a very limited presence.A coalition of hardline Islamic groups supporting Mr Basedan previously said that it would send at least 100 activists to each polling station to monitor voting. But correspondents said they had a very limited presence.
Election officials are now counting the votes. A preliminary result based on approved private polls will be announced by the end of the day, with the official result due in early May.
Mr Purnama, also popularly known as "Ahok", voted with his family in north Jakarta early on Wednesday morning.Mr Purnama, also popularly known as "Ahok", voted with his family 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."
Police had warned against voter intimidation.Police had warned against voter intimidation.
Rizieq Shihab, leader of the Islamic Defenders Front which has been leading protests against Mr Purnama, also cast his vote.Rizieq Shihab, leader of the Islamic Defenders Front which has been leading protests against Mr Purnama, 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."
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.
A number of Chinese Indonesians who turned up to vote told the BBC that they were not intimidated.A number of Chinese Indonesians who turned up to vote told the BBC that they were not intimidated.
"Politics is cruel. There will be threats, physically or verbally. But I still feel comfortable even though I'm of Chinese descent.... So far they only scream out hatred but haven't really acted on it," one voter, Rudi Irmawan, told the BBC."Politics is cruel. There will be threats, physically or verbally. But I still feel comfortable even though I'm of Chinese descent.... So far they only scream out hatred but haven't really acted on it," one voter, Rudi Irmawan, told the BBC.
What is the controversy about?What is the controversy about?
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.
Mr Purnama was accused last year of insulting a Koranic verse during a campaign speech, which he has denied, saying his comments were aimed at politicians "incorrectly" using the Koran against him.Mr Purnama was accused last year of insulting a Koranic verse during a campaign speech, which he has denied, saying his comments were aimed at politicians "incorrectly" using the Koran against him.
Hardline Islamists have cited that verse from the Koran to support an argument that Muslims should not vote for a non-Muslim leader.Hardline Islamists have cited that verse from the Koran to support an argument that Muslims should not vote for a non-Muslim leader.
Correspondents say his rivals have also heavily capitalised on these allegations to harness the Muslim vote, with Mr Baswedan meeting the Islamic Defenders Front twice publically.Correspondents say his rivals have also heavily capitalised on these allegations to harness the Muslim vote, with Mr Baswedan meeting the Islamic Defenders Front twice publically.
If convicted, he faces a maximum five-year jail sentence, although he 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, although he could still govern while appeals are heard. His trial is due to resume on Thursday.
How has it affected the outcome?How has it affected the outcome?
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%.
The run-off is now taking place as Mr Purnama failed to win that first round by a sufficiently large margin.The run-off is now taking place as Mr Purnama failed to win that first round by a sufficiently large margin.
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".
Indonesia is the world's most-populous Muslim country. About 85% of its population are Muslim, but the country officially respects six religions.Indonesia is the world's most-populous Muslim country. About 85% of its population are Muslim, but the country officially respects six religions.