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Indonesians vote in tight presidential race Indonesians vote in tight presidential race
(about 1 hour later)
Voters in Indonesia have cast ballots to choose their next president, in a very tight race between two candidates.Voters in Indonesia have cast ballots to choose their next president, in a very tight race between two candidates.
They were deciding between Joko Widodo, the governor of Jakarta, and Prabowo Subianto, an ex-army general. They were deciding between Joko Widodo, the governor of Jakarta, and Prabowo Subianto, an ex-army general. One exit poll gives Mr Widodo a slender lead.
Mr Widodo, known as Jokowi, led early on in opinion polls but Mr Subianto then gained considerable ground. Known as Jokowi, he led in early opinion polls but Mr Subianto then gained considerable ground.
Commentators say undecided voters will have a significant impact on results. About one-fifth of Indonesians fell into this category, surveys suggested. About a fifth of voters were undecided, surveys suggested. Official results will be announced on 21-22 July.
Independent and unofficial poll counts will be provided later in the day and are considered accurate.
Polls opened at 07:00 local time and closed at 13:00 local time. Indonesia has three times zones, so the last ballots were cast just before 06:00GMT.Polls opened at 07:00 local time and closed at 13:00 local time. Indonesia has three times zones, so the last ballots were cast just before 06:00GMT.
Official results will be announced on 21-22 July, but independent and unofficial poll counts will be provided later in the day and are considered accurate. Shortly after voting ended, an exit poll published by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) put Mr Widodo on 45.1% and Mr Prabowo on 42.2%. Some 8,000 respondents were interviewed across the country.
'Respect the choice''Respect the choice'
Outgoing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono cannot stand for another term as the constitution has a two-term limit. After casting his ballot, he urged all parties to respect the poll result.Outgoing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono cannot stand for another term as the constitution has a two-term limit. After casting his ballot, he urged all parties to respect the poll result.
"Our democracy is at a relatively mature state, and our people enjoy the freedom to choose," the outgoing leader said."Our democracy is at a relatively mature state, and our people enjoy the freedom to choose," the outgoing leader said.
"Therefore, I hereby urge all the leaders and political elites in this country to respect the rights of the people, respect the freedom of the people to choose their leader.""Therefore, I hereby urge all the leaders and political elites in this country to respect the rights of the people, respect the freedom of the people to choose their leader."
Mr Widodo, the one-time front-runner from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), is a popular figure with the public.Mr Widodo, the one-time front-runner from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), is a popular figure with the public.
He is supported by young people in both urban and rural areas who see him as a clean politician in a country beset by corruption.He is supported by young people in both urban and rural areas who see him as a clean politician in a country beset by corruption.
But critics say he lacks experience in national politics and international relations.But critics say he lacks experience in national politics and international relations.
He is supported by Indonesia's most popular Islamic Party, the National Awakening Party (PKB), and the National Democrat Party (NasDem).He is supported by Indonesia's most popular Islamic Party, the National Awakening Party (PKB), and the National Democrat Party (NasDem).
Alice Budisatrijo, BBC News, Jakarta:Alice Budisatrijo, BBC News, Jakarta:
A steady stream of people have been coming in to a polling station in the crowded Menteng neighbourhood in Jakarta. The population is so dense that there are four polling stations within a 300m radius.A steady stream of people have been coming in to a polling station in the crowded Menteng neighbourhood in Jakarta. The population is so dense that there are four polling stations within a 300m radius.
Officials were not quite ready at 07:00 local time (23:00 GMT) when the booths were supposed to open. But early voters waited patiently as many people in the football-mad country stayed up all night watching the Germany-Brazil game.Officials were not quite ready at 07:00 local time (23:00 GMT) when the booths were supposed to open. But early voters waited patiently as many people in the football-mad country stayed up all night watching the Germany-Brazil game.
Today's turn-out is expected to be high as this is a contest that has generated an unprecedented enthusiasm about the country's future leader. While the two candidates' visions for the country sound similar, their drastically different personalities have captivated and divided the nation.Today's turn-out is expected to be high as this is a contest that has generated an unprecedented enthusiasm about the country's future leader. While the two candidates' visions for the country sound similar, their drastically different personalities have captivated and divided the nation.
The test for Indonesia's democracy will be when the results are announced. Patience and tolerance may be in shorter supply.The test for Indonesia's democracy will be when the results are announced. Patience and tolerance may be in shorter supply.
Mr Subianto, from the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), is seen as a convincing campaigner and a decisive man with good knowledge of defence, because of his military background.Mr Subianto, from the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), is seen as a convincing campaigner and a decisive man with good knowledge of defence, because of his military background.
He has, however, been dogged by allegations of human rights abuses committed during former dictator Suharto's regime, which ended in 1998.He has, however, been dogged by allegations of human rights abuses committed during former dictator Suharto's regime, which ended in 1998.
In the final days of Suharto's rule, the unit which he commanded is accused of kidnapping, torturing and killing activists protesting against Suharto.In the final days of Suharto's rule, the unit which he commanded is accused of kidnapping, torturing and killing activists protesting against Suharto.
Mr Subianto is supported by Golkar, which is Indonesia's second largest party. He is also endorsed by the Democratic Party (Demokrat) of current leader Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.Mr Subianto is supported by Golkar, which is Indonesia's second largest party. He is also endorsed by the Democratic Party (Demokrat) of current leader Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Both campaigns have used nationalistic rhetoric on the economy, corruption and other domestic issues such as infrastructure and social security, but they have been less vocal on detailed policies on job creation and boosting economic growth.Both campaigns have used nationalistic rhetoric on the economy, corruption and other domestic issues such as infrastructure and social security, but they have been less vocal on detailed policies on job creation and boosting economic growth.
Ahead of the vote, election officials delivered ballot boxes to polling stations around the country, ferrying them to Indonesia's numerous islands by speedboat, carrying them on horseback along mountain paths and dropping them off at remote hamlets with helicopters and small planes.Ahead of the vote, election officials delivered ballot boxes to polling stations around the country, ferrying them to Indonesia's numerous islands by speedboat, carrying them on horseback along mountain paths and dropping them off at remote hamlets with helicopters and small planes.
Meanwhile in Jakarta the authorities deployed 22,300 policemen to keep the peace, reports say.Meanwhile in Jakarta the authorities deployed 22,300 policemen to keep the peace, reports say.
The new president will be inaugurated on 20 October and will have to appoint a cabinet within two weeks.The new president will be inaugurated on 20 October and will have to appoint a cabinet within two weeks.
Are you in Indonesia? Will you be voting? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Indonesia'. Are you in Indonesia? Will you be voting? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line 'Indonesia'.