The 2014 Indonesian presidential election was held on 9 July 2014 to elect the President and Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia for a five‑year term beginning on 20 October 2014. The election was conducted in a single round of voting; a candidate required a simple majority (over 50 % of the valid votes) to win outright. No runoff was needed.
Background
- The incumbent President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, was constitutionally barred from seeking a third term after serving two consecutive terms (2004–2014).
- The election was the third direct presidential vote in Indonesia’s democratic era, following the first in 2004 and the second in 2009.
- The General Elections Commission (Komisi Pemilihan Umum, KPU) organized the vote and oversaw the registration of candidates, political parties, and coalitions.
Candidates and Coalitions
Two presidential tickets qualified for the ballot:
| Ticket | Presidential Candidate | Vice‑Presidential Candidate | Supporting Parties/Coalitions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joko Widodo (commonly known as Jokowi) | Joko Widodo – Governor of Jakarta | Jusuf Kalla – former Vice President (2004–2009) | Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI‑P), Golkar, Democratic Party, National Awakening Party (PKB), Nasdem Party, and several smaller parties |
| Prabowo Subianto | Prabowo Subianto – former lieutenant general, former head of the Indonesian Strategic Command (Kostrad) | Hatta Rajasa – former Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs | Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), United Development Party (PPP), Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), National Mandate Party (PAN), and several smaller parties |
All parties and candidates complied with the legal requirements for nomination, including collection of supporting signatures and submission of required documentation to the KPU.
Voter Participation
- Registered voters: approximately 191.4 million.
- Turnout: 73.87 % (about 141.2 million voters cast ballots).
- Valid votes: 132,947,513; null/blank votes: 2,763,609.
Results
- Joko Widodo / Jusuf Kalla: 70,997,558 votes (53.15 % of valid votes).
- Prabowo Subianto / Hatta Rajasa: 62,576,444 votes (46.85 % of valid votes).
Jokowi’s ticket secured a majority, thereby winning the presidency without a runoff. The KPU officially announced the results on 22 July 2014, confirming the victory.
Aftermath
- Inauguration: Joko Widodo and Jusuf Kalla were inaugurated on 20 October 2014 at the DPR/MPR (People’s Representative Council/People’s Consultative Assembly) building in Jakarta.
- Political significance: The election marked the first time a sitting governor of Jakarta was elected president, and it represented a shift toward candidates perceived as outsiders to the entrenched political elite.
- Legal challenges: Prabowo Subianto filed a petition with the Constitutional Court alleging irregularities. The Court rejected the petition on 22 September 2014, upholding the election results.
International Observation
A coalition of international observer missions, including the European Union, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), monitored the election. Their final assessment described the vote as “generally free, fair, and credible,” noting high voter turnout and peaceful conduct across most regions, while also highlighting isolated incidents of logistical difficulties in remote areas.
References
- General Elections Commission (KPU) official results, 2014.
- Constitutional Court of Indonesia decision, 22 September 2014.
- “Indonesia’s 2014 Presidential Election.” International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), 2014.
- “Indonesia Presidential Election 2014: A Comprehensive Analysis.” Asian Development Bank Institute, 2015.
