It was held to elect the governor of Bali along with their deputy, whilst members of the provincial council (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Daerah) will be re-elected in 2019.

Incumbent I Made Mangku Pastika was barred from participating in the re-elections after having served two full terms.

Contesting the election were Denpasar mayor Ida Bagus Rai Dharmawijaya Mantra and People's Representative Council member I Wayan Koster.

[6] PDI-P chairman Megawati Soekarnoputri announced third-term People's Representative Council member I Wayan Koster as the party's candidate for the elections on 11 November 2017.

[9] In the same announcement, former regent of Gianyar Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati (Cok Ace) was endorsed by PDI-P as his running mate.