Three presidential hopefuls will face off in Indonesia's first election debate on Tuesday, with candidates expected to tackle questions on law, human rights and rising corruption in the world's third-largest democracy.

The first of five debates ahead of the February 2024 poll takes place as Defence Minister and former general Prabowo Subianto consolidates a 20-point lead in opinion surveys. 

Prabowo is competing against former Central Java governor, Ganjar Pranowo and former education minister and Jakarta governor, Anies Baswedan.

Tuesday's televised debate will span the topics of law, corruption, democracy, human rights, tolerance and governance, offering candidates the chance to detail their policies and address recent political controversies.

The debate comes after the Constitutional Court recently changed the age requirements for candidates, allowing outgoing President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's 36-year-old son to join Prabowo as his running mate.

The ruling sparked fears about a democratic backslide and a return to the nepotism and patronage politics that characterised the decades-long rule of former president Suharto, who was forced from power in 1998.

Prabowo, who lost the presidency twice in 2014 and 2019, may also face questions about his role in alleged human rights abuses in Jakarta and Timor Leste, which he has always denied. 

Anies, who critics say courted Islamist groups for political gain to secure his win in the 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election, could be questioned on "identity politics". Ganjar may be asked to address his handling of a controversial andesite mine and cement factory in his province.

Activists say all three candidates should outline how they plan to address rising corruption, particularly after a 2019 revision of the law on the anti-corruption body curtailed its powers.

Six cabinet ministers have been implicated in corruption cases during the administration of President Joko Widodo, with Transparency International's 2022 corruption index showing the country slid four points to 34.

Election campaigning officially began on Nov. 26 with two of the three presidential candidates  launching their bids with public speeches ahead of next year's poll.

Nearly 205 million people are eligible to vote on February 14, with the winner set to succeed President Jokowi after he completes the maximum two terms ruling the country.

If no candidate obtains more than 50 percent of the first-round vote, a second-round run-off vote will be held between the top two in June.

The next president will be sworn in October 2024, the elections commission said.

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