Incumbent governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, popularly referred to as "Ahok", and his deputy Djarot Saiful Hidayat were running for re-election to a second term.

Quick counts for the 19 April runoff indicated that Anies Baswedan was elected as governor; Ahok conceded defeat hours after the polls closed.

Furthermore, Basuki's "double minority" background makes him a target of the hardliner Islamic Defenders Front (FPI).

The group called for the revision of the Jakarta Charter constitution to remove some of the governor's responsibilities for government-affiliated Islamic organizations.

An Indian newspaper The Hindu mentioned that there was "a correlation" with Zakir Naik's lecture in Indonesia which was broadcast via YouTube with the victory of Anies Baswedan, who outperformed Basuki Tjahaja Purnama and receiving 58% of the vote in the gubernatorial election.