In a recent announcement by the General Election Commission, former special forces general Prabowo Subianto has been declared the victor of Indonesia's presidential election. Subianto secured 58.6% of the votes, defeating former governors Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo.
The election saw a voter turnout of approximately 80% and Subianto emerged victorious in 36 of the 38 provinces, garnering a total of 96.2 million votes. Baswedan, the runner-up, won in two provinces and received 40.9 million votes, while Pranowo, representing the governing Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, received 27 million votes but did not win any provinces.
Both Baswedan and Pranowo have expressed their intention to challenge the official results in the Constitutional Court, citing election irregularities and fraud allegations. They have alleged issues such as the vice presidential candidacy of President Joko Widodo’s son, which they claim may have influenced the outcome of the election.
Subianto, who is currently serving as Widodo’s defense minister, had claimed victory on election day based on unofficial tallies showing him leading with nearly 60% of the votes. The outgoing president's son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, ran as Subianto's vice presidential candidate after an exception was made to the minimum age requirement for candidates.
Despite the allegations of fraud, Widodo has dismissed the claims and emphasized the transparency of the election process, urging the candidates to follow proper legal channels to address any concerns. The Constitutional Court will now have the authority to adjudicate any election disputes brought forward by the contesting parties.
The new president is set to be inaugurated on Oct. 20 and will be tasked with appointing a Cabinet within two weeks. Subianto's victory marks a significant political development in Indonesia, with questions arising about the future direction of the country under his leadership.
Observers remain uncertain about Subianto's policy agenda and how he will address issues such as political dissent, human rights, and democratic freedoms, given his background and ties to the country's past dictatorship. Subianto's presidency is expected to bring about changes in Indonesia's political landscape, with concerns raised about the potential implications of his leadership on the country's democracy and governance.
