Polling for divisive governor contest closes, Jakarta election

News Hour:

Polling has closed in a run-off election for the post of Jakarta’s governor, seen by many as a key test for Indonesia’s secular identity.

The two candidates are the incumbent Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, a Christian of Chinese descent, and Anies Rasyid Baswedan, a Muslim.

Critics of Mr Purnama have accused him of blasphemy, heightening racial and religious tensions.

Exit polls show Mr Baswedan winning but official results are still awaited.

Hardline Islamist groups say Mr Purnama insulted a Koranic verse during a campaign speech and have rallied large crowds against him in recent months. He is now on trial for blasphemy, which he denies.

Correspondents say this has made the election a choice between secularism and a growing hardline Islamist movement in Indonesia.

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