A Nation Votes
It was a historic day for Indonesia on Wednesday, July 9, as the country went to the polls to decide who would lead the world’s fourth-most populous nation — the country’s third direct presidential election, 16 years since the fall of dictator Suharto.
Jokowi supporters wait for the presidential candidate to arrive at the Proklamasi monument in Jakarta on Wednesday, July 9. (Photo credit: Sandra Siagian)
With more than 180 million voters across 17,000 Indonesian islands eligible to cast their vote today, quick counts placed former furniture salesman Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo just slightly ahead of his opponent, ex-general, and Suharto’s former son-in-law, Prabowo Subianto. Even with majority of the exit polls and quick count results revealing Joko as the winner, Prabowo refused to concede defeat and also claimed victory on election night.
A look at some of the quick count results from Indonesia’s presidential election. (JG Graphic)
Indonesians will now have to wait until Tuesday, July 22, for the official results to be released by the country’s Electoral Commission. If the result is disputed, the losing candidate could possibly challenge the outcome in the Constitutional Court.