Indonesia’s latest regional election polls. Is it significant?

Indonesia held its first simultaneous regional elections on November 27, 2024. Voters nationwide elected 37 governors, 93 mayors, and 415 regents. The polls were significant as they were seen as a test of President Prabowo Subianto’s influence and the strength of his coalition, the Advance Indonesia Coalition (KIM Plus).

This year’s polls were the first time Indonesians elected local leaders on the same day across all regions. Posts included regional governors, heads of administrative regions, and municipal mayors.

In Indonesia’s decentralized political system, these officials are responsible for providing local public services and dealing with regional governance and budgeting decisions. The regional elections come after the presidential and parliamentary elections in February. Former general Prabowo Subianto won the presidency and was inaugurated in October.

Over 200 million registered voters participated in the elections, making it one of the largest elections in the world.

Why are regional elections significant?

Regional elections in Indonesia have not been met with the same enthusiasm as the presidential election held a few months earlier. But for young people, regional elections are about more than just casting a vote. The outcomes can significantly affect their lives for at least the next five years.

For a student benefiting from a scholarship program provided by the Jakarta Government, the regional election is not merely about selecting a regional leader. The primary concern is that the next administration might eliminate the scholarship program The regional policies will directly affect residents. He cited the example of how the formulation of the Provincial Minimum Wage (UMR) and the City Minimum Wage (UMK) are decided by regional governments