The main contenders in Indonesia's 2014 presidential elections are squaring off again this year.

The race is pitting Incumbent President Joko Widodo against the candidate he defeated in the last election, Prabowo Subianto.

Joko won that race by a small margin. He presented himself as the alternative candidate – a political outsider, who started from the bottom, promising an end to the rule of military and elites.

Dewi Fortuna Anwar, a political analyst said that "with that kind of background, just a small businessman, a mayor at a small town, not somebody who's a member of parliament or so on, can make it to the center, first as a governor and then win in the presidency, was regarded as a manifestation of the new Indonesia, the land of opportunity whose democratic opening has made it possible for anyone to come up to the top." 

If Joko stays in office, he'd be receiving a mandate to push for the "new Indonesia." During his first term, that meant building ports, roads, and airports – an accomplishment he's been leveraging while campaigning for a second win.

Joko Widodo, incumbent Indonesian president said: "With the infrastructure that has been built, we want to grow new economic points outside of Java, either in the form of small industrial areas, special economic zones, or tourism areas, which ultimately can lift the economy of rural communities through goods produced." But his rival, Prabowo Subianto, does not see Joko's first term the same way, saying the country is on the verge of a crisis.

Prabowo Subianto, Indonesian presidential candidate said, "Our nation has long been running in the wrong direction. If this wrong direction is continued, it will not provide welfare for the Indonesian people."

The two major candidates come from very different worlds. A former special forces commander, Prabowo comes from an elite political family. Despite his upbringing and wealth, he's running on a platform railing against the elite – saying they're taking advantage of the poor. In another move similar to US President Donald Trump, he's already saying he'll contest the vote, restating this sentiment earlier as he cast his ballot. 

He said that "We are very concerned, we hope and we pray that today's election will be fair and peaceful, it will be peaceful if it's fair. Hopefully, the will of the Indonesian people will be heard today. Thank you."

(Video cover: Indonesian President Joko Widodo casts his ballot during elections in Jakarta, Indonesia, April 17, 2019. /Reuters Photo)