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Indonesia elections: Jokowi locks horns with his party in battleground Solo

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Huge posters all over Solo city, the hometown of President Joko Widodo and stronghold of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), which has become the battleground in the Feb 14, 2024, election. Residents are torn between choosing Mr Widodo's son and vice-presidential candidate Gibran Rakabuming Raka, and presidential candidate and former Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo, who is supported by the PDI-P.

Large posters are seen all over Solo city, the hometown of President Joko Widodo and stronghold of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).

ST PHOTO: ARLINA ARSHAD

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As visitors drive into Solo city, the home town of Indonesian President Joko Widodo, they are greeted by colourful party flags and hundreds of posters featuring candidates for the Feb 14 elections. But some of these posters also bear the face of the popular outgoing leader, even though he is not in the running.

Many residents strut around in campaign T-shirts emblazoned with photos of their favourite presidential candidates. The tees usually feature either

Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto

or

former Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo,

with hardly any of Mr Anies Baswedan, the third contender in the race.

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