Indonesia Election update: Prabowo-Gibran commanding lead with 58.91%

INDONESIA: In the latest update on the Indonesia presidential and vice-presidential election, candidates Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka have surged ahead, according to the real count data provided by the General Election Commission (KPU).

As of 4:00 pm on Thursday (22 Feb), 74.87 per cent of the data has been processed, representing 616,389 polling stations out of 823,236.

Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka have garnered an impressive 64,682,366 votes, accounting for 58.91 per cent of the total votes.

This places them well ahead of their competitors, with Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar securing 26,444,527 votes (24.09 per cent) and the Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud MD pair accumulating 18,665,009 votes (17 per cent).

(Photo: General Election Commission)

Gutzy’s observations highlight three key regions where the Prabowo-Gibran pair has secured significant support, namely East Java, West Java, and Central Java.

The duo received 12,426,878 votes in East Java, 10,711,101 votes in West Java, and 10,151,154 votes in Central Java.

Habiburokhman, Deputy Chair of the Prabowo-Gibran National Campaign Team (TKN), expressed optimism regarding their lead, anticipating stability in the results as the real count progresses.

He emphasized the significance of the real count, stating, “The real count usually starts to stabilize at 70%. If it is 80%, I think it will be more stable. And of course, we all understand that the quick count is valid and scientific. Rarely in the methodology, it is different from the real count.”

While awaiting the final results of the real count, Habiburokhman confidently asserted, “I am very confident that this will be stable until it is finished.”

The vote recapitulation for the 2024 presidential election is expected to be finalized no later than 20 March 2024.

If the presidential election concludes in a single round, in accordance with the current schedule, the swearing-in ceremony for the President and Vice President is slated to occur on 20 October 2024.

Global leaders extend congratulations to Prabowo Subianto as election results show a strong lead

In the ongoing process of vote counting, several international leaders have extended their congratulations to presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto for his notable lead in the preliminary election results.

Prabowo shared the news on his official Instagram page on Wednesday (21 Feb), revealing that he received a congratulatory telephone call from the President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The gesture underscores international acknowledgement of Prabowo’s performance in the electoral race.

Additionally, the 17th President of the Philippines, Bongbong Marcos, conveyed his warmest congratulations to Defense Minister Prabowo via his official Twitter page (20 Feb).

Marcos expressed optimism about the strengthening of bilateral ties between the Philippines and Indonesia, emphasizing the close relationship shared as neighbouring nations and partners in ASEAN.

He also highlighted the significance of celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries this year.

My warmest congratulations to Defense Minister @prabowo on his commanding lead in the latest electoral count to be Indonesia's next President.

I look forward to deepening PH's bilateral ties with Indonesia, a close neighbor and partner in ASEAN, most especially as we celebrate…

— Bongbong Marcos (@bongbongmarcos) February 20, 2024

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined the chorus of well-wishers, extending his congratulations to Prabowo via his Twitter page on 18 February.

Modi celebrated the success of the Indonesian Presidential elections and expressed eagerness to collaborate with the new Presidency in further enhancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Indonesia.

Congratulations to the people of Indonesia on the successful Presidential elections and @prabowo on the lead. Look forward to working with the new Presidency to further strengthen Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Indonesia.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 18, 2024

In addition to these leaders, other prominent figures, including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, have also reached out to Prabowo to congratulate him on the ongoing election results.