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

Incumbent Lukas Enembe ran for his second term against the regent of Jayawijaya Regency John Wempi Wetipo.

[7] As per regulations due to the province's special autonomy status, candidates are required to garner the support of political parties totaling 15 percent of the popular vote in the 2014 election or parties controlling 15 percent of the 55-seat provincial council.

[11][12] On January 4, however, PDI-P leader Megawati Sukarnoputri declared that the party will place its support behind John Wempi Wetipo, regent of Jayawijaya Regency with former regent of Jayapura Regency Habel Melkias Suwae as his running mate.

Deputy speaker of the parliament and Gerindra vice-chairman Fadli Zon noted that the alliance was "reflecting the aspirations of local areas".