Indonesia election: Prabowo disputes quick count results to claim victory over Jokowi
- While independent pollsters suggest incumbent president Joko Widodo is leading his challenger by 8 to 9 percentage points, Prabowo Subianto says he has won 62 per cent of the vote
- Jokowi has not acknowledged his likely win, instead telling supporters to be patient and wait for official results
“I’m president to all of Indonesia, even to those who voted for [Jokowi],” he said in a late-night speech broadcast on television, where he kneeled and shouted Allahu Akbar (God is great) three times.
Several sets of quick count results showed Jokowi in the lead by between 8 and 9 percentage points, based on a sample of more than 90 per cent of ballots cast.
Earlier in the day, Prabowo told supporters outside his home that there had been attempts by pollsters to “steer public opinion” to think he had lost.
Addressing concerns his supporters would stage protests against the outcome, he said: “My fellow countrymen ... everyone should stay calm and remain unprovoked from committing anarchy.”
At a small cinema in central Jakarta, Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, did not acknowledge his lead but told his supporters – who cheered and chanted his name – to be patient and wait for official results.
The Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said Jokowi and his running mate Ma’ruf Amin would win 55.8 per cent of votes, with Prabowo and his running mate Sandiaga Uno getting 44.2 per cent.
