Indonesians cast their ballots in two major elections this year. Here's what you need to know about the elections:

LEGISLATIVE POLLS (APRIL 9)

In all, 19,699 legislative seats are up for grabs at three levels - national, provincial and district.

560 seats in the national Parliament are at stake

To win seats at the national level, parties must meet a threshold of 3.5 per cent of the popular vote nationwide. This is to ensure the parties are able to command broad support.

Indonesia relies on a mix of open party list and proportional representation system in selecting winners for its asemblies.

PRESIDENTIAL POLLS (JULY 9)

Indonesians vote directly for a combined ticket of a presidential candidate and running mate.

Candidates can be nominated only by parties or a coalition that won at least 20 per cent of Parliament seats or 25 per cent of national vote

To become president, the candidate must win over 50 per cent of the national vote and 20 per cent of the vote in more than half of Indonesia's 33 provinces

The president and members of Parliament serve fixed five-year terms. Presidents are limited to two terms.

THE VOTERS

Indonesia has 186 million eligible voters out of a population of 250 million, making the country the world's third largest democracy after India and the United States.

Parties have to figure out the best way of winning over the young and old, those living in cities and villages, and reverse a declining turnout:

THE PARTIES

12 parties are contesting this year for the 560-seat Parliament. Each will have to meet the 3.5 per cent popular vote threshold to be represented. In the 2009 polls, nine parties made the cut.