Quick counts by reputable pollsters based on a sampling of ballots across polling stations in Indonesia showed Mr Prabowo garnering about 58 per cent of votes, enough to win the presidential poll in one round.
Presidential candidate and defence minister Prabowo Subianto has pledged to lead, protect and defend all Indonesians as he claimed victory hours after polling closed on Wednesday (Feb 14), with independent quick counts showing he had won nearly 60 per cent of votes.
With his vice-presidential running mate Gibran Rakabuming Raka – who is also incumbent president Joko Widodo’s son – by his side, Mr Prabowo said the country must unite once more as “the campaign is over”, and that “this victory is for all Indonesian people”.
“We will be president and vice-president for all Indonesians,” he declared, while speaking to thousands of supporters at a packed sports arena.
“I have repeatedly emphasised that we will lead, protect and defend all Indonesian people, whatever their race, ethnicity, religion, social background. All Indonesians will be our responsibility, to safeguard their interests.
“We will build a government consisting of the best people of Indonesia.”
Quick counts by reputable pollsters such as Indikator Politik Indonesia, Litbang Kompas and Indonesian Survey Circle (LSI), based on a sampling of ballots across polling stations in Indonesia, showed Mr Prabowo garnering about 58 per cent of votes.
This puts him well ahead of rivals Mr Anies Baswedan with about 25 per cent of votes, and Mr Ganjar Pranowo with about 16 per cent.
Mr Anies and Mr Ganjar, however, have not conceded defeat and cited reports of electoral fraud.
“Don’t be influenced by these surveys,” said Mr Thomas Lembong, the deputy leader of Mr Anies’ campaign team. Counting remains dynamic and is expected to continue over the next few days, he said. “The journey is still long.”
“We have to be brave and patient, and not too quick to make conclusions,” Mr Thomas added.
Mr Ganjar also urged people to wait for the final results, saying: “We’re still working. No fight (effort) is in vain … we are still energised.”
Mr Arsjad Rasid, head of Mr Ganjar’s campaign team, also urged anyone with evidence of any irregularities on the ground to report them to the team. “Friends, don’t stop. Let’s continue to safeguard this,” he said.