Indonesia’s President-elect Prabowo Subianto Formally Declared Winner
Indonesia’s electoral body officially announced Prabowo Subianto as the country’s president-elect in a ceremony held on Wednesday. This declaration came after the Constitutional Court dismissed challenges to his significant victory filed by his two opponents.
Prabowo Subianto’s Victory
The current defense chief secured the election with 58.6 percent of the votes, totaling over 96 million ballots, more than double the count received by each of the other candidates. Despite allegations from his rivals claiming his win relied on extensive fraud and state interference, Prabowo emerged victorious.
Formal Declaration Ceremony
Authorities heightened security around the General Election Commission’s compound, deploying over 4,200 police and soldiers. Prabowo and Vice President-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka, dressed in matching white shirts, greeted their supporters upon arrival at the agency.
Call for Unity
During the ceremony, Prabowo emphasized the need for unity among political leaders to work collaboratively for the welfare of the people, aiming to eradicate poverty and corruption in Indonesia.
Upcoming Presidency
Prabowo is set to assume office in October, succeeding the popular Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, the first president of Indonesia from outside Jakarta’s elite circles.
Legal Challenges and Verdict
The poll body officially certified the election results on March 20, with the formal declaration delayed due to legal disputes. Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo contested the results, alleging fraud and nepotism, particularly challenging Gibran’s candidacy as Prabowo’s running mate.
Constitutional Court Decision
After a 5-to-3 decision by the court, rejecting the claims of fraud and upholding Prabowo’s victory, Anies, Ganjar, and their supporters conceded and congratulated the president-elect, emphasizing the importance of a peaceful transfer of power.
Prabowo’s Background
A former commander in Indonesia’s Kopassus special forces, Prabowo faced discharge from the military in 1998 due to alleged human rights violations. Despite his controversial past, he founded the Gerindra Party and has made multiple attempts at the presidency.