Prabowo-Gibran surges ahead in quick count results

INDONESIA: In the latest developments surrounding the 2024 Indonesian presidential election, the Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka ticket has taken a prominent lead in three quick count institutions.

As of 18:57, Kompas Research and Development’s quick count, with 83.20% of data processed, reveals the Prabowo-Gibran duo in the lead with 58.69%, followed by the Anies-Muhaimin pair at 25.25% and Ganjar-Mahfud at 16.06%.

Subsequently, Charta Politika updated its data at 18:59, reporting Prabowo-Gibran maintaining their lead at 57.65%, with Anies-Muhaimin at 25.78% and Ganjar-Mahfud at 16.56%.

Concurrently, Poltracking Indonesia’s 18:58 update, incorporating 86.07% of data, solidifies Prabowo-Gibran’s lead at 59.18%, followed by Anies-Muhaimin at 24.47%, and Ganjar-Mahfud at 16.35%.

The emerging early pattern suggests the potential for a first-round victory for Prabowo.

According to Indonesian law, to secure the position, a presidential candidate must attain a simple majority – more than 50% of the votes – and secure at least 20% of the votes in half of the country’s 38 provinces.

If these criteria are not met, the top two pairs will enter a run-off vote in June, with the third pair eliminated.

Current Defense Minister Prabowo, a former special forces lieutenant-general, emerged as the front runner in pre-election surveys.

His running mate, Gibran, President Joko Widodo’s son, aligns with a commitment to continuing the current administration’s development projects, including the planned relocation of the administrative capital to East Kalimantan.

Deputy Chief of the Prabowo-Gibran campaign team, Habiburokhman, expressed confidence in the early results, stating, “This is the victory of the Indonesian people,” highlighting the results surpassing pre-election survey predictions.

Presidential candidate Anies Baswedan, reacting to the preliminary results favoring Prabowo-Gibran, urged the public to allow the General Election Commission (KPU) the necessary time to finalize the official results.

Speaking at the AMIN Winning Post in Menteng, Jakarta Center, Anies emphasized patience and discouraged premature conclusions.

Despite the early results, Anies maintained a positive outlook and cautioned against rushing to conclusions about the gap between his candidacy and Prabowo’s.

The General Elections Commission (KPU) has announced that official results are expected to be released by 20 March at the latest, providing a clear timeline for the conclusion of the electoral process.