Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto has claimed victory in the presidential election following unofficial vote counts indicating a substantial lead over his opponents. The 72-year-old former special forces commander, who had previously run for president twice unsuccessfully, garnered approximately 58 percent of the votes, according to four pollsters conducting “quick count” ballots at samples of voting stations nationwide.
Rivals Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo trailed with about 25 percent and 17 percent, respectively, according to the independent pollsters, known for accurately reflecting previous election results since Indonesia began direct voting for the president in 2004. Preliminary counts by the election commission were slower, showing Prabowo securing 57.7 percent of votes with around 6 percent of ballots recorded.
Addressing jubilant supporters in Jakarta, Prabowo expressed gratitude for the quick results, emphasizing humility and unity among all Indonesians. Neither Anies nor Ganjar conceded, urging the public to await the official results expected by March 20. Ganjar’s campaign team stated they were investigating reports of electoral violations, alleging “structural, systematic, and massive fraud” without providing evidence.
To secure victory in a single round, a candidate requires more than 50 percent of votes cast and at least 20 percent of the ballot in half of the country’s provinces. Failure to achieve a majority triggers a run-off between the top two finishers in June.
Prabowo’s front-runner status was buoyed by the apparent support of outgoing President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi. His running mate, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the 36-year-old mayor of Solo, joined the campaign following a contentious court ruling on age limits.
The winning duo pledged to continue Jokowi’s policies, including ambitious infrastructure projects such as relocating the capital from Jakarta to Borneo. While Widodo’s presidency witnessed economic growth and infrastructure improvements, concerns about democratic decline and accusations of electoral interference have persisted.
Prabowo’s victory marks a significant milestone in his political evolution, from a former Kopassus special forces commander with a controversial past to a potential president-elect. Despite allegations of human rights abuses and past political turbulence, Prabowo successfully adapted his image during this election, targeting a younger demographic and projecting an image of humility and unity to secure victory.
