The 2024 Central Java gubernatorial election was held on 27 November 2024 as part of nationwide local elections to elect the governor and vice governor of Central Java for a five-year term. The election was contested by former Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces Andika Perkasa, primarily backed by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), and former provincial chief of police Ahmad Luthfi, backed by a wide coalition of parties led by Luthfi's Gerindra Party. Luthfi won the election with 59% of the vote, defeating Perkasa, who received 40%.
Electoral system
The election, like other local elections in 2024, follow the first-past-the-post system where the candidate with the most votes wins the election, even if they do not win a majority. It is possible for a candidate to run uncontested, in which case the candidate is still required to win a majority of votes "against" an "empty box" option. Should the candidate fail to do so, the election will be repeated on a later date.
Candidates
According to electoral regulations, in order to qualify for the election, candidates were required to secure support from 24 seats in the Central Java Regional House of Representatives (DPRD). The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, with 33 seats, is the only political party eligible to nominate a candidate without forming a coalition. However, following a Constitutional Court of Indonesia decision in August 2024, the political support required to nominate a candidate was lowered to between 6.5 and 10 percent of the popular vote. Candidates may alternatively demonstrate support in form of photocopies of identity cards, which in Central Java's case corresponds to 1.84 million copies. No independent candidates registered with the General Elections Commission for the gubernatorial election.
The previous governor, Ganjar Pranowo, had served two full terms and was therefore ineligible to contest the election.
Declared
The following candidates qualified to contest the election:
On 26 August, the third declaration candidates of PDI-P officially announced Andika Perkasa and Hendrar Prihadi running as governor and vice governor.
The chief of the provincial police, Ahmad Luthfi, declared his willingness to run as a gubernatorial candidate in late June 2024. By 25 July 2024, four political parties: Golkar, Gerindra, PAN, and PSI, had announced their endorsement of Luthfi. He was assigned as Inspector General in the Ministry of Trade in late July 2024, after receiving the endorsements.
Potential
The following p individuals were either publicly mentioned as potential candidates, or considered as such by the press:
- Bambang Wuryanto (PDI-P), member of the House of Representatives from Central Java IV district (Karanganyar, Wonogiri, and Sragen).
- Hendrar Prihadi (PDI-P), Mayor of Semarang (2013-2022).
- Andika Perkasa (PDI-P), former Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (2021-2022).
- Taj Yasin Maimoen (PPP), former vice governor (2018-2023).
- Yusuf Chudlori (PKB), chairman of PKB's Central Java branch.
Declined
The following individuals were mentioned as potential candidates, but ultimately declined to run:
- Dico Ganinduto (Golkar), Regent of Kendal.
- Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Mayor of Surakarta (2021-2024). (ran for Vice President)
- Kaesang Pangarep (PSI), chairman of the Indonesian Solidarity Party and son of former President Joko Widodo.
- Sudaryono (Gerindra), chairman of Gerindra's Central Java branch.
Political map
Following the 2024 Indonesian general election, ten political parties are represented in the Central Java Regional House of Representatives: