Indonesia’s defense minister declares victory in the first round of presidential elections

“All calculations, all surveys […] showed that Prabowo and Gibran would win in one round. This victory should be a victory for all Indonesians,” he told the crowd at the arena in central Jakarta, also mentioning his vice-presidential candidate, Gibran Rakabuming Rak.

The official results are not due until next month, but government-approved pollsters, who collected a sample of votes at polling stations and partly carried out a so-called quick count, found Prabowo Subianto with more than 55 percent. of votes.

Preliminary results show that he is the clear favorite and should win once morest his rivals Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranow, avoiding a run-off vote in June.

To secure the presidency, Mr. Subianto needs to get more than 50 percent of the vote. of all votes and at least one-fifth of the votes cast in more than half of the country’s 38 provinces.

Although he declared his victory, Prabowo Subianto said he would wait for official results from the electoral commission.

“We think Indonesia’s democracy is working well. The people have made up their minds, the people have decided,” he told supporters.

The 72-year-old, who sparked street protests and legal battles following losing two previous elections, rose to prominence following joining forces with outgoing President Joko Widodo’s eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka.