In 2017, a long, divisive campaign for the gubernatorial seat of Indonesia’s capital city Jakarta ended with a victory for prejudice over pluralism. The election saw an extraordinarily powerful campaign by Islamic groups to condemn the ethnic Chinese and Christian incumbent governor, Mr Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama. Ethnicity and religion often become politicised in elections. Research has found that this is particularly true during a transition to democracy. During these times, fragile democratic rules and practices, coupled with strong ethnic bonds, often motivate aspiring politicians to bolster their support by appealing to voters’ emotional allegiances to their tribe, ethnicity, or religion.
But, Indonesia’s case is puzzling. After three decades of authoritarian rule, Indonesia’s transition to democracy in 1999 was rapid and violent, triggered by a severe economic crisis, mass demonstrations and riots.
Indonesia hardline Muslim group members protest in Jakarta to call for maximum punishment to be imposed on then Jakarta governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama ahead of the verdict of a blasphemy trial in May 2017. Read more at //www.todayonline.com/commentary/why-have-candidates-indonesian-elections-increasingly-been-rallying-ethnic-and-religious