Jakarta. With three months remaining until the Jakarta 2024 gubernatorial election, attention is turning to the highly anticipated public debates, where candidates for governor and vice governor will face off.

Astri Megatari, a member of Jakarta's Regional General Election Commission (KPUD), said the first of three debates is set to take place in October, providing voters with an opportunity to assess the contenders before the Nov. 27 election.

“The topics for the debates are still being finalized,” Astri said during a press briefing at the her office on Monday.

She added that the debate subjects will align with Jakarta's five-year development plan, focusing on issues central to the Regional Long-Term Development Plan (RPJPD), crafted by the Jakarta Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda).

The public debates are scheduled for two rounds in October and one in November 2024. Meanwhile, KPUD Jakarta is conducting administrative reviews of candidate documents and will officially announce the candidates on Sept. 22.

The 2024 Jakarta gubernatorial election will see three candidate pairs: Ridwan Kamil-Suswono, supported by a coalition of 12 political parties; Pramono Anung-Rano Karno, backed by PDI-P; and the independent candidates, Dharma Pongrekun-Kun Wardana.