The election was famous because it was won by Joko Widodo, who would later become President of Indonesia in 2014.

Starting in 2005, as part of a decentralization process, Indonesia implemented a direct election system for local leaders (i.e. mayors, regents, and governors), replacing the previous system of election by vote within local legislatures during the New Order era.

[2] The first of such elections, initially scheduled for January 2005, were delayed to June 2005 in order to allow for preparations.

[3] There were four pairs of candidates for the election, including former mayor Slamet Suryanto.

Additionally, the National Awakening Party also endorsed Widodo.