In Jakarta, candidates go to polls

With a few exceptions, the candidates in Jakarta’s gubernatorial election joined voters in casting their ballots in the city’s second-ever direct election of a chief executive on Wednesday.

Candidate and Surakarta Mayor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who was not registered to vote in Jakarta, appeared with Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) patron Megawati Soekarnoputri as she voted at TPS 031 polling station in Kebagusan, South Jakarta.

Jokowi’s running mate Basuki Thajaja Purnama, voted near his home in Pluit, North Jakarta.

Independent candidate Faisal Basri voted at TPS 7 polling station in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, at 9 a.m., while his running mate, Biem Benjamin, voted at TPS 25 in Jagakarsa, South Jakarta.

The other independent campaign, Hendardji Supandji and Ahmad Riza Patria, voted at polling stations near their homes in Cipete, South Jakarta, and Cengkareng, West Jakarta, respectively.

Meanwhile, incumbent Governor Fauzi Bowo voted in Menteng, Central Jakarta, while running mate Nachrowi Ramli exercised the franchise at Condet, East Jakarta, at 10 a.m.

Hidayat Nurwahid voted at TPS 12 in Kemang, South Jakarta while his running mate, Didik J. Rachbini, is a resident of Depok, West Java, and did not vote.

Candidate and South Sumatera Governor Alex Noerdin and running mate Nono Sampono voted in Jagakarsa, South Jakarta. (dre/cor/sat/lfr)