Incumbent Sutiyoso did not participate in the election, with his deputy Fauzi Bowo facing off against former police general Adang Daradjatun.

[1] The previous governor, Sutiyoso, was reelected for his second term through the indirect method with Fauzi Bowo as his deputy in September 2002, in a vote held in the midst of demonstrations against his governance.

"[2] Sitting vice governor Fauzi Bowo received the support of a major coalition of parties, while his opponent Anang Daradjatun only managed to secure the support of the Prosperous Justice Party - which had previously won the local elections of Jakarta's satellite cities of Bekasi and Depok.

[3] The primary issues contested were chronic poverty and unemployment in addition to the city's traffic jams and annual flooding.

[4] Fauzi Bowo's campaign in particular claimed that Daradjatun's governorship will result in limitations for the city's nightlife because of his backing from the islamist PKS.