Constitutional battle looms as both poll rivals claim victory in Indonesia

Both candidates claimed victory in Indonesia's presidential election yesterday, suggesting there could be a drawn-out constitutional battle to decide who will next lead the world's third-largest democracy.

Just a few hours after voting closed, Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo said he had won, based on what were widely seen as quick counts of more than 90 per cent of the votes.

But rival candidate and ex-general Prabowo Subianto pointed to a quick count by other pollsters naming him the winner. He did not name the pollsters. Widodo, on other hand, said he was the winner from polls by six agencies, many of which are regarded as independent.

The quick counts are conducted by private agencies that collate actual vote tallies as they come out of each district. The results are not official, but quick counts by three non-partisan pollsters - CSIS, Kompas and Saifulmujani - showed a Widodo win. The predictions of these pollsters were accurate in the April parliamentary election.

The Election Commission will take about two weeks to officially declare the results and the new president is not due to take office until October 1.

Watch: Indonesia's Widodo declares victory in presidential race