Prabowo Subianto
On Thursday, Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto appeared to be on track to become the world’s third-largest democracy’s next president, avoiding a runoff vote against election rivals who have yet to concede.
The ex-general declared victory Wednesday evening after preliminary results from government-approved pollsters, who had previously proven to be credible, showed he would win high office with a majority in his third attempt.
The delayed, official count by the archipelago’s election commission likewise showed the 72-year-old on track for the presidency at 55.97 percent with 39 percent of votes counted, more than double his nearest rival.
“This victory should be a victory for all Indonesians”, Prabowo told a jubilant throng in Jakarta on Wednesday evening.
He stated that he would form a government comprised of the best sons and daughters of Indonesia.
His followers danced outside his Jakarta home when preliminary results showed him winning.
In previous elections, government-approved polling organizations utilized quick counts to declare victory.
Prabowo Subianto lost the last two presidential elections to the popular outgoing leader Joko Widodo.
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