JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Thousands of noisy, flag-waving political supporters created a celebratory atmosphere outside Indonesia’s election commission Thursday as candidates started registering for next year’s elections in the world’s third-largest democracy.

More than 2,400 police were deployed around the General Election Commission compound in Jakarta and roads were blocked around the building, where traffic was snarled as the presidential and vice presidential candidates arrived.

Anies Baswedan, an opposition candidate and former Jakarta governor, was the first to register for the presidential race, alongside his running mate, Muhaimin Iskandar, chairman of the National Awakening Party or PKB.

Ganjar Pranowo, the governing party’s candidate for president and former Central Java governor, registered with his running mate, Muhammad Mahfud, the current top security minister.