2005 Surakarta mayoral election explained

Election Name:2005 Surakarta mayoral election
Country:Indonesia
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Next Election:2010 Surakarta mayoral election
Next Year:2010
Election Date:27 June 2005
Turnout:72.3%[1]
Nominee1:Joko Widodo
Party1:Indonesian Democratic Party - Struggle
Running Mate1:F. X. Hadi Rudyatmo
Popular Vote1:99,747
Percentage1:36.62
Nominee2:Achmad Purnomo
Party2:National Mandate Party
Running Mate2:Istar Yuliadi
Popular Vote2:79,213
Percentage2:29.08
Mayor
Before Election:Slamet Suryanto
Before Party:PDI-P
After Election:Joko Widodo
After Party:PDI-P

The 2005 Surakarta mayoral election took place on 27 June 2005, as the first direct mayoral election for the city. Four pairs of candidates for Surakarta's mayor and deputy mayor participated in the election. The election was famous because it was won by Joko Widodo, who would later become President of Indonesia in 2014.

Background

Starting in 2005, as part of a decentralization process, Indonesia implemented a direct election system for local leaders (i.e. mayors, regents, and governors), replacing the previous system of election by vote within local legislatures during the New Order era.[2] The first of such elections, initially scheduled for January 2005, were delayed to June 2005 in order to allow for preparations.[3]

Candidates

There were four pairs of candidates for the election, including former mayor Slamet Suryanto. Suryanto, who was the chairman of PDI-P's local office, had been sanctioned by his party for running instead through a coalition of small parties, as the party had instead nominated Joko Widodo,[4] who at the time was chairman of the city's furniture-makers association.[5] Aside from the two, there was also the Achmad Purnomo-Istar Yuliadi ticket, endorsed by the National Mandate Party, and the Hardono-Dipokusomo ticket, endorsed by a coalition of Golkar, the Democratic Party, and the Prosperous Justice Party. Additionally, the National Awakening Party also endorsed Widodo.[1]

Results

Candidate Votes Percentage
Joko Widodo 99,747 36.62
Achmad Purnomo 79,213 29.08
Hardono 78,989 29
Slamet Suryanto 14,414 5.29
The election was held in 1,385 polling stations across the city.[1]

Notes and References

  1. News: Hasil Akhir, Jago PDIP Unggul Pilkada di Solo dan Sukoharjo . 2 November 2019 . detikNews . 28 June 2005 . id.
  2. News: Bland . Ben . Indonesia moves to abolish direct elections for local governors . 2 November 2019 . Financial Times . 10 September 2014.
  3. News: Pilkada Langsung akan Digelar Mulai Juni 2005 . 2 November 2019 . detikNews . 25 August 2004 . id.
  4. News: Selingkuh ke Partai Lain, PDIP Ancam Eks Walikota Solo . 2 November 2019 . detikNews . 25 June 2005 . id.
  5. News: Kisah Awal Jokowi Terjun ke Dunia Politik . 2 November 2019 . detikNews . 23 July 2014 . id.