Other than featuring the same presidential contenders, the 2019 election is by no means a repeat of the previous election.

One thing is for sure: President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, now serving as an incumbent candidate with greater political support, can no longer use the famous slogan and gesture salam dua jari (two finger salute) in his
campaign.

In an awkward twist, the draw for the ballot number at the General Elections Commission on Friday night concluded with the Jokowi-Ma’ruf Amin pair getting number 1 and the Prabowo Subianto-Sandiaga Uno pair getting number 2.

It was the reverse of the 2014 election, when Jokowi and Jusuf Kalla got number 2, while Prabowo and Hatta Rajasa got number 1.

Ballot numbers are important in Indonesian elections, with political strategists devising campaign slogans based on the numbers.

With campaign season scheduled to kick off on Sunday, both camps appear to be prepared for all possibilities.

The President said he was glad to get number 1 because it would be easier for him and Ma’ruf to communicate with the public.

“[That is] because we want to unite as one,” he said.

In 2014, Jokowi’s salam dua jari campaign, shown by making a V sign with two fingers, helped him connect with younger voters, who often use the gesture as a symbol of peace.

That V sign now belongs to Prabowo, who is ready to use the number for his own campaign.

“Number two is a symbol of victory,” the Gerindra Party chairman said when asked about his ballot number.

Speaking after the draw, both candidates highlighted in their speeches that they wanted the presidential campaign to run peacefully.

Jokowi said the political contest must be an occasion where the candidates compete on their programs, ideas, track records and accomplishments, instead of campaigns full of slander.

“Although we engage in a contest, I still want to be able to call Pak Prabowo and Pak Sandiaga because they have been my friends for a long time,” Jokowi said.

“There are many challenges, obstacles and even resistance in efforts to develop the nation, but we must not give up,” Jokowi said. “There is only one choice: Indonesia maju [develop Indonesia].”

“I also hope all parties stay calm, are not emotional and restrain themselves. Let us greet the democratic process peacefully,” Prabowo said.

While sectarianism continued to overshadow the election, with both tickets doing everything they can to win the Muslim vote, they have also been focusing on economic issues.

Jokowi has promoted economic populism and nationalism, while Prabowo has highlighted the sharp decline in the rupiah, swelling debt and other challenges facing the economy.

Political communication expert Emrus Sihombing of Pelita Harapan University, who is also executive director of think tank EmrusCorner, said either ballot number would be a good brand for each candidate pair.

“If the people are critical, they will vote based on programs and figures,” Emrus said.

But ballot numbers, another analyst said, still matter.

“Candidacy number will determine what kind of gimmicks will be used during the campaigns,” said Ari Nurcahyo of Jakarta-based think tank Para Syndicate. “The content of vision, mission and programs [of the presidential candidate pairs] will be paired with campaign gimmicks and adjusted with candidacy number.”

Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto said PDI-P chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri expected Jokowi and Ma’ruf to obtain number 1.

“The meaning is clear: Pak Jokowi is to serve for one more term [as president] and is at the forefront of the struggle to develop Indonesia,” Hasto said.

Speaking after Prabowo, Sandiaga said before the numbers were drawn, Jokowi briefly talked to Prabowo, during which they agreed to write their number as 01 and 02, because without zero at the beginning, there could be complications as some parties are numbered 1 and 2 in the 2019 general election.

“The discussion took less than one minute, so it shows that the [Prabowo and Jokowi camps] are friends and we want an election that showcases unity, diversity and peace,” Sandiaga said.

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