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Indonesians vote in tight presidential race Indonesians vote in tight presidential race
(about 2 hours later)
About 190 million registered voters have begun casting ballots for the president of Indonesia, the world's third largest democracy. About 190 million registered voters are casting ballots for the president of Indonesia, the world's third largest democracy.
They are choosing between Joko Widodo, the governor of Jakarta, and Prabowo Subianto, an ex-army general.They are choosing between Joko Widodo, the governor of Jakarta, and Prabowo Subianto, an ex-army general.
Opinion polls so far have suggested that it will be a very tight race.Opinion polls so far have suggested that it will be a very tight race.
Mr Widodo, also known as Jokowi, appeared to be leading in opinion polls early on, but that margin narrowed as Mr Subianto gained ground.Mr Widodo, also known as Jokowi, appeared to be leading in opinion polls early on, but that margin narrowed as Mr Subianto gained ground.
Commentators say undecided voters will have a significant impact on results. About one-fifth of Indonesians fell into this category in late June surveys.
'Respect the choice'
The first polls opened at 07:00 local time on Friday (22:00 GMT on Thursday) in the east of the country. Jakarta and the island of Java began voting two hours later at 07:00 in their time zone (0000 GMT).The first polls opened at 07:00 local time on Friday (22:00 GMT on Thursday) in the east of the country. Jakarta and the island of Java began voting two hours later at 07:00 in their time zone (0000 GMT).
In recent weeks media outlets have been accused of favouring particular candidates, prompting outgoing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to call for more balanced coverage. Outgoing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono cannot stand for another term as the constitution has a two-term limit. After casting his ballot, he urged all parties to respect the poll result.
Mr Yudhoyono cannot stand for another term as the constitution has a two-term limit. "Our democracy is at a relatively mature state, and our people enjoy the freedom to choose," the outgoing leader said.
Commentators say undecided voters will have a significant impact on results. About one-fifth of Indonesians fell into this category in the late June surveys. "Therefore, I hereby urge all the leaders and political elites in this country to respect the rights of the people, respect the freedom of the people to choose their leader."
Mr Widodo, the one-time front-runner from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), is a popular figure with the public.
He is supported by young people in both urban and rural areas who see him as a clean politician in a country beset by corruption.
Alice Budisatrijo, BBC News, Jakarta:Alice Budisatrijo, BBC News, Jakarta:
A steady stream of people have been coming in to a polling station in the crowded Menteng neighbourhood in Jakarta. The population is so dense that there are four polling stations within a 300m radius.A steady stream of people have been coming in to a polling station in the crowded Menteng neighbourhood in Jakarta. The population is so dense that there are four polling stations within a 300m radius.
Officials were not quite ready at 07:00 local time (23:00 GMT) when the booths were supposed to open. But early voters waited patiently as many people in the football-mad country stayed up all night watching the Germany-Brazil game.Officials were not quite ready at 07:00 local time (23:00 GMT) when the booths were supposed to open. But early voters waited patiently as many people in the football-mad country stayed up all night watching the Germany-Brazil game.
Today's turn-out is expected to be high as this is a contest that has generated an unprecedented enthusiasm about the country's future leader. While the two candidates' visions for the country sound similar, their drastically different personalities have captivated and divided the nation.Today's turn-out is expected to be high as this is a contest that has generated an unprecedented enthusiasm about the country's future leader. While the two candidates' visions for the country sound similar, their drastically different personalities have captivated and divided the nation.
The test for Indonesia's democracy will be when the results are announced. Patience and tolerance may be in shorter supply.The test for Indonesia's democracy will be when the results are announced. Patience and tolerance may be in shorter supply.
Security tight
Mr Widodo, from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), is a popular figure with the public.
He is supported by young people in both urban and rural areas who see him as a clean politician in a country beset by corruption.
But critics say he lacks experience in national politics and international relations.But critics say he lacks experience in national politics and international relations.
He is supported by Indonesia's most popular Islamic Party, the National Awakening Party (PKB), and the National Democrat Party (NasDem).He is supported by Indonesia's most popular Islamic Party, the National Awakening Party (PKB), and the National Democrat Party (NasDem).
Mr Subianto, from the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), is seen as a convincing campaigner and a decisive man with good knowledge of defence, because of his military background.Mr Subianto, from the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), is seen as a convincing campaigner and a decisive man with good knowledge of defence, because of his military background.
He has, however, been dogged by allegations of human rights abuses committed during former dictator Suharto's regime, which ended in 1998.He has, however, been dogged by allegations of human rights abuses committed during former dictator Suharto's regime, which ended in 1998.
In the final days of Suharto's rule, the unit which he commanded is accused of kidnapping, torturing and killing activists protesting against Suharto.In the final days of Suharto's rule, the unit which he commanded is accused of kidnapping, torturing and killing activists protesting against Suharto.
Mr Subianto is supported by Golkar, which is Indonesia's second largest party. He is also endorsed by the Democratic Party (Demokrat) of current leader Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.Mr Subianto is supported by Golkar, which is Indonesia's second largest party. He is also endorsed by the Democratic Party (Demokrat) of current leader Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Both campaigns have used nationalistic rhetoric on the economy, corruption and other domestic issues such as infrastructure and social security, but they have been less vocal on detailed policies on job creation and boosting economic growth.Both campaigns have used nationalistic rhetoric on the economy, corruption and other domestic issues such as infrastructure and social security, but they have been less vocal on detailed policies on job creation and boosting economic growth.
Ahead of the vote, election officials delivered ballot boxes to polling stations around the country, ferrying them to Indonesia's numerous islands by speedboat, carrying them on horseback along mountain paths and dropping them off at remote hamlets with helicopters and small planes.Ahead of the vote, election officials delivered ballot boxes to polling stations around the country, ferrying them to Indonesia's numerous islands by speedboat, carrying them on horseback along mountain paths and dropping them off at remote hamlets with helicopters and small planes.
Meanwhile in Jakarta the authorities have deployed 22,300 policemen to keep the peace, reports say.Meanwhile in Jakarta the authorities have deployed 22,300 policemen to keep the peace, reports say.
The official result will be announced on 21-22 July, but independent and unofficial poll counts will be provided later in the day on Wednesday and are known to be accurate. The official result will be announced on 21-22 July, but independent and unofficial poll counts will be provided later in the day on Wednesday and are considered accurate.
The new president will be inaugurated on 20 October and will have to appoint a cabinet within two weeks.The new president will be inaugurated on 20 October and will have to appoint a cabinet within two weeks.
Are you in Indonesia? Will you be voting? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Indonesia'.Are you in Indonesia? Will you be voting? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Indonesia'.