Indonesian election: Both sides claim victory
It is time to pay attention to stories from our ASEAN region and this is a big one. With no clear winner in Indonesia's presidential elections yet, there are fears of unrest.
It is time to pay attention to stories from our ASEAN region and this is a big one. With no clear winner in Indonesia's presidential elections yet, there are fears of unrest.
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![Indonesian election: Both sides claim victory](https://image.posttoday.com/media/content/2014/07/10/00000B02651543AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.jpg?x-image-process=style/lg-webp)
Indonesian women show their inked fingers after voting in the country's presidential election at a polling centre in Jakarta on July 9, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ADEK BERRY
Both sides claim victory in tight Indonesia election race
Both sides claimed victory Wednesday in Indonesia's tightest and most divisive presidential election since the end of authoritarian rule, as most unofficial tallies showed Jakarta governor Joko Widodo leading over ex-general Prabowo Subianto.
The standoff in the hotly contested race to lead the world's third-biggest democracy prompted President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to call for restraint from both sides until official results are announced in two weeks' time.
Widodo, known by his nickname Jokowi, is the first serious presidential contender without roots in the era of dictator Suharto. He has won legions of fans due to his humble background and common touch.
![Indonesian election: Both sides claim victory](https://image.posttoday.com/media/content/2014/07/10/00000B02651544AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.jpg?x-image-process=style/lg-webp)
Indonesian presidential candidate Joko Widodo (3rd L) with former Indonesian general Wiranto (2nd L-white shirt), now head of the Hanura party, former president Megawati Sukarnoputri (3rd R) and Widodo's running mate Jusuf Kalla (2nd R) during a press conference in Jakarta on July 9, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ARIF ARIADI
His popularity was clear earlier in the day when hundreds of screaming supporters mobbed him and chanted his name as he voted in central Jakarta.
Prabowo, in contrast, was head of the feared special forces under Suharto, admitted ordering the abduction of democracy activists before the dictator's downfall in 1998 and was formerly married to one of Suharto's daughters.
He has nevertheless won support by playing up his military background, in a country where many have a yearning for a strong leader.
As a series of unofficial tallies from reliable polling agencies started to show Widodo with a lead of four to five percentage points, the smiling Jakarta governor declared victory, flanked by members of his party.
"This is a victory for all Indonesian people," the 53-year-old later told an evening rally of flag-waving supporters at a park in the capital.
"History has been made – this is a new chapter for Indonesia."
Shortly after Widodo's declaration of victory, however, Prabowo also claimed to have won.
![Indonesian election: Both sides claim victory](https://image.posttoday.com/media/content/2014/07/10/00000B02651545AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.jpg?x-image-process=style/lg-webp)
Indonesian presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto (C) displays his ballot at a polling station in the village of Bojong Koneng in Bogor, West Java province. AFP PHOTO / Bay ISMOYO
The 62-year-old said polling agencies followed by his campaign team showed that he and running mate Hatta Rajasa "have received the support and mandate from the people of Indonesia".
Later Wednesday he delivered a fiery speech, pumping his fist in the air and urging people to wait for the official results to be announced and respect "official institutions".
"We will be patient, we will obey principle and law and try to be well-behaved," he said, during an appearance on a TV station owned by a wealthy tycoon supporter.
"But do not ever think that we are weak, do not ever think that we can be trampled."
The close race has sparked fears of unrest, and Yudhoyono urged both sides to "restrain themselves and not organise street rallies to celebrate until the announcement by the (election commission)".
The commission is not expected to announce the official results until July 22, due to the complexity of holding elections across the archipelago of more than 17,000 islands that spans three time zones.
Widodo's party relied on around five unofficial tallies known as "quick counts", from reliable polling agencies that have accurately predicted the winners of Indonesian elections in the past.
Prabowo used three less well-known polling agencies, which gave him a lead of between one and three percentage points.
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