JAKARTA: Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto claimed victory in the first round of the country’s presidential election on Wednesday, following preliminary results suggesting he was poised to become the leader of Southeast Asia’s largest economy.
Although official results are slated for release next month, government-sanctioned pollsters conducting “quick counts” based on a sample of votes from polling stations indicated Subianto secured over 55 percent of the vote. Addressing a crowd in central Jakarta, Subianto, along with his running mate Gibran Rakabuming Raka, expressed gratitude for the apparent victory.
Results of Indonesia’s Presidential Election
The preliminary results place Subianto on a trajectory to achieve a majority, surpassing his rivals Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo, thereby avoiding a runoff vote in June. To secure the presidency outright, Subianto must garner more than 50 percent of the overall vote and at least a fifth of ballots cast in over half of Indonesia’s 38 provinces.
Despite claiming victory, Subianto emphasized the importance of waiting for the official results from the election commission, underscoring his belief in the functioning of Indonesian democracy. Notably, the 72-year-old politician gained popularity by forming an alliance with President Joko Widodo’s eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka.
Subianto’s declaration of victory comes after he contested the outcomes of the previous two presidential elections through street protests and legal challenges.
