DHAKA: Voting has begun in Indonesia to elect representatives in national and local parliaments.

Some 19,000 seats are being contested across the nation, including the 560 seats in the national parliament, reports the BBC.

The polls will determine which parties can field candidates for the presidential election on 9 July.

The opposition Democratic Party of Struggle is expected to do well. Its candidate, Joko Widodo, is seen by many as Indonesia`s next president.

Widodo, the Jakarta governor who is popularly known as Jokowi, has proven to be a hit with voters because of an approachable and down-to-earth image.

Shop worker Deni Ardiansyah, 25, said voters believe Mr Widodo would "bring a new dawn to Indonesia".

"We see him as a success and we see him as honest," she told AFP news agency.

Voting is taking place across three different time zones, however, election officials have already warned of possible delays with the vote.

One official for Papua province, Betty Wanane, told the AFP news agency that planes carrying ballots could not reach dozens of districts in mountainous areas, warning of delays of up to three days.

BDST: 0846 HRS, APR 09, 2014