Warning against the danger of identity politics, chairmen of the two most influential Muslim organizations in Indonesia, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah, on Thursday joined hands in resisting the rise of primordialism ahead of the 2024 general election.

The three politicians currently leading the nation’s opinion polls are intensifying their efforts to boost their electability, embarking on so-called political safaris to meet with notable figures and rallying supporters roughly nine months before voters cast their ballots on Feb. 14, 2024.

A Gerindra Party politician has downplayed a planned meeting between chairman Prabowo Subianto and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) counterpart Megawati Soekarnoputri, saying that talks with the ruling party would be pointless unless the latter would be willing to settle for the vice presidential seat.

A recent survey has found that the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) is still the frontrunner for the 2024 legislative election, following the party’s formal nomination of popular Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo as its presidential candidate prior to Idul Fitri.

The party's summoning of Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka for clarification over his meeting with Gerindra Party-backed presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto is indicative of the growing unease between the PDI-P and President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, analysts say.

The arrest of senior NasDem Party member and communications and information minister Johnny G. Plate on corruption charges may put the party and the electoral alliance it built to back opposition figure Anies Baswedan in a vulnerable position heading into the upcoming elections.

The arrest of communications and information minister Johnny G. Plate on corruption charges this week has sparked fresh calls by politicians for a Cabinet reshuffle, with at least one media mogul prepared to fill the newly vacant post amid a rush to influence the selection of a successor.

As talks continue over who will be Prabowo Subianto’s running mate in the 2024 presidential election, the Gerindra Party on Saturday said that National Awakening Party (PKB) chair Muhaimin Iskandar was still the frontrunner for the slot, while the Golkar Party aimed to nominate chairman Airlangga Hartarto for the position.

Political parties have spared no effort in supporting their lofty electoral ambitions for next year, nominating Cabinet members, incumbents and even some notable newcomers for the 2024 legislative election before the close of the registration period on Sunday.

In response to protests from rights groups fearing a lack of women’s representation in the legislature, the General Elections Commission (KPU) has undone a recent rule change that would have decreased the minimum number of women candidates in electoral districts under some circumstances.

A recent survey of Jakarta residents has found former Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan still in the lead over Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo in the presidential race, but by a lower margin. Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto, whose electability has increased since July 2022 remains in distant third.

The opposition Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) was the first to register its candidates on Monday, while Hanura Party, which contested the 2019 legislative elections but failed to send its representatives to the House, completed its registration on Wednesday.

A recent poll has suggested that a majority of Indonesians believe popular Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo would be the most likely to continue the current administration’s programs if elected president in 2024, while opposition figure Anies Baswedan would be the most likely to seek to undo President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s policies.

The 2024 presidential election could turn into a four-horse race, as Golkar seems set on forming its own alliance in the event that the proposed "grand coalition" fails to materialize.

Members of the governing coalition have dismissed accusations that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has engaged in political activity unbefitting of his office ahead of the 2024 general election, saying the President “should not be neutral” and that his involvement in political discussions with party leaders “cannot be avoided”.

Less than a month after leaving pro-government Gerindra Party, former vice-presidential candidate in 2019, Sandiaga Uno, hinted at his interest in joining the opposition Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), which revealed the possibility of pairing him with its presidential candidate Anies Baswedan in 2024.

Muhaimin Iskandar, a four-time lawmaker from the National Awakening Party (PKB), will not contest the 2024 legislative race as he is eyeing a presidential nomination.

Though candidate registration for the legislative elections has been open since last Monday, it appears that most parties are dragging their feet in getting their lists to the KPU.

The dominant party might have its sights set on more than just winning the presidency, but analysts say it could find it hard to cobble together a “preelection coalition” for the next government.

The chairmen told reporters afterward that their closed-door meeting was indeed an attempt at political courtship.

Coalition-building heats up as the PDI-P brushes off potential challenges from allies in the Jokowi administration.

A fresh poll suggests that presidential nominee Prabowo Subianto, who lost to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in the last two elections, would beat prospective rivals Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo and former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan, in what would likely be a fiercely contested two-round election.

Golkar chairman Airlangga Hartarto and PKB chairman Muhaimin Iskandar reaffirmed their wish to carry over the current formation of the big-tent ruling coalition beyond 2024, amid complications in alliance-building.

Jokowi on Tuesday hosted a halal-bihalal for leaders of the ruling coalition to discuss plans to back election frontrunners Ganjar Pranowo and Prabowo Subianto as the winning ticket, a close ally of the President said.

The KSPSI, which backed Jokowi in both 2014 and 2019, has thrown its weight behind the PDI-P's presidential nominee.

Ganjar is seen as regaining momentum for his presidential bid.

The Golkar Party rekindled ties with an erstwhile ally from the opposition bloc on Saturday night as signs of cracks within the "grand old party"-led United Indonesia Coalition (KIB) began to crop up after one of the partners nominated popular governor Ganjar Pranowo as its presidential candidate in 2024.