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Indonesia
This Week in AsiaPolitics

Indonesia election 2024: Gen Z and millennial voters ‘critical’ to presidential race outcome

  • Millennials and Gen Zs make up more than half of Indonesia’s eligible voters, giving them the power to swing next year’s presidential election
  • Gen-Z voters casting ballots for the first time feel the weight of concerns ranging from social issues to ‘political dynasties’ on their choice

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Young Indonesians hold up national flags ahead of the 78th Independence Day on August 13. Photo: AFP
Resty Woro Yuniar
Young voters, who make up more than half of the voting population, will determine who wins the presidential and legislative elections in Indonesia next year. But to the candidates, they are just vote banks to tap, rather than members of a group with their own aspirations worthy of being heard, according to analysts.
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The Indonesian general election will take place on February 14, with the General Election Commission saying that 204.8 million people are eligible to cast their votes to decide who will succeed President Joko Widodo as leader of the world’s third-largest democracy.
More than half of them, or 115 million, are millennial and Gen-Z voters, so winning the votes of this demographic is critical, political analysts say. The commission classifies those born between 1981 and 1996 as millennials, and 1997-2012 as Gen Zs. In Indonesia, anyone aged 17 and above is eligible to vote.

“Both millennials and Gen-Z [voters] comprise more than 50 per cent of total voters, if the presidential candidate can get their votes, they will definitely win,” said Aisah Putri Budiarti, political researcher with Jakarta-based National Research and Innovation Agency.

The pressure is not only felt by political parties and aspiring presidents, but also by the Gen-Z voters, particularly those who will head to the voting booths for the first time next year, such as Syaidan Ahmad.

“I’m quite excited because I can vote. This is the first time I can take part in an election,” Syaidan, 21, told This Week in Asia. “On the other hand, I’m also scared, scared that I’ll give my vote to the ‘wrong’ choice.”

Workers arrange folded ballot boxes at a warehouse of the General Elections Commission in Yogyakarta on November 3, ahead of next year’s elections. Photo: AFP
Workers arrange folded ballot boxes at a warehouse of the General Elections Commission in Yogyakarta on November 3, ahead of next year’s elections. Photo: AFP

As February inches closer, Syaidan said she had “looked up on the internet” about the presidential and vice-presidential candidates’ programmes and track records. She already knew who her parents were supporting, but she said she would not follow their choice. She has yet to pick a candidate.

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