1、CRS InsightsIndonesias 2014 Presidential ElectionBen Dolven, Specialist in Asian Affairs (bdolvencrs.loc.gov, 7-7626)August 4, 2014 (IN10125)On July 22, 2014, Indonesias Election Commission declared Joko Widodo, 53, the winner ofIndonesias July 9 presidential election. The Election Commission report
2、ed that Widodo defeated formerGeneral Prabowo Subianto by more than 8 million votes in a bitterly contested election in which 135million people70% of registered voterscast their ballots. Although Prabowo has filed a protest toIndonesias Constitutional Court alleging electoral fraud, political observ
3、ers believe Widodo, popularlyknown as Jokowi, almost certainly will take office on October 10, becoming Indonesias seconddirectly elected President.In a region where some citizens, notably in Thailand, are questioning the benefits of democracy, publicopinion polls show that Indonesians increasingly
4、consider democracy to be both effective and part oftheir national identity. The nation has developed a vibrant media and civil society, and conductshundreds of local and provincial elections each year. Nationwide parliamentary elections on April 9 wereone of the worlds largest democratic exercises,