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Indonesians Vote in Presidential Race Seen as Close Jakarta Governor Says He Appears to Have Won Indonesian Presidential Election
(about 3 hours later)
JAKARTA, Indonesia — Tens of millions of Indonesians went to polling stations on Wednesday to elect the country’s first new president in a decade, choosing between a populist governor and an ex-general in a race seen by analysts as too close to call. JAKARTA, Indonesia — Joko Widodo, the populist governor of Jakarta who burst onto Indonesia’s national political scene less than two years ago, said Wednesday that he appeared to have won the country’s presidential election, with results from unofficial tallies putting him several points ahead of his opponent, a former army general. But the ex-general, Prabowo Subianto, said it was too early to declare a winner.
The election pits Joko Widodo, governor of Jakarta, the Indonesian capital, against Prabowo Subianto, a former army general and politician. Both candidates come from opposition parties, and the winner will replace President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who took office in 2004 but is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term. The vote culminates an intense political season that saw nationwide legislative elections in April followed by a bruising presidential campaign. Multiple independent polling firms conducting so-called quick counts, which are taken from vote tallies from a small sample of polling stations across the far-flung country, indicated that Mr. Joko had a lead of between 4 and 6 percentage points over Mr. Prabowo. The quick counts have been highly accurate in past elections.
Trailing by more than 20 percentage points in one opinion poll only three months ago, Mr. Prabowo surged after the official campaigning period began in early June. Two polls released on Saturday indicated that Mr. Joko was clinging to a lead of between 2.7 and 4 percentage points, and analysts said the vote would come down to the wire. If the official results, which are weeks away, confirm that Mr. Joko won, he will have completed an unlikely and meteoric rise to leader of the world’s fourth-largest nation. Emerging on the Indonesian political scene in 2012 when he was elected governor of Jakarta, the capital, Mr. Joko — popularly known as Jokowi — won a large following with his “people first” credo and humble manner, a striking departure from the aloof governing style of most Indonesian politicians.
Mr. Joko, a former mayor and furniture exporter, has promised “more people-centric” governance and policies in a country that belongs to the Group of 20 major economies but still has more than 100 million people living on $2 a day or less. Mr. Prabowo, who was a son-in-law of Suharto, the late authoritarian president who ruled Indonesia for 32 years, has pledged firm, decisive leadership, grass-roots welfare programs and protectionist economic policies. Less than two hours after the polls closed early Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Joko and leaders of his opposition Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle held a news conference at the home of the party’s chairwoman, Megawati Sukarnoputri, that was broadcast on live national television.
“At this point, according to quick counts, Jokowi-JK look to have won,” Mr. Joko said, referring to himself and his running mate, Jusuf Kalla.
Mrs. Megawati, herself a former Indonesian president, had stepped aside in March and appointed Mr. Joko as the party’s presidential candidate. “Even though this is still in the vote-counting process, we already can say that Jokowi will be president,” she said.
Mr. Prabowo, however, refused to concede defeat late Wednesday afternoon, saying the quick counts weren’t completed yet. “We are waiting until all the data comes in, and after it reaches 90 percent or more, then we will declare our position and action,” he told reporters at a family residence in South Jakarta.
The winner will replace President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who took office in 2004 but is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term. The vote culminates an intense political season that saw nationwide legislative elections in April followed by a bruising presidential campaign.
Trailing by more than 20 percentage points in one opinion poll only three months ago, Mr. Prabowo surged after the official campaigning period began in early June. Two polls released on Saturday indicated that Mr. Joko was clinging to a lead of between 2.7 and 4 percentage points, and analysts had said the vote would come down to the wire.
Mr. Joko, a former mayor and furniture exporter, promised “more people-centric” governance and policies in a country that belongs to the Group of 20 major economies but still has more than 100 million people living on $2 a day or less. Mr. Prabowo, who was a son-in-law of Suharto, the late authoritarian president who ruled Indonesia for 32 years, pledged firm, decisive leadership, grass-roots welfare programs and protectionist economic policies.
Mr. Joko’s early, commanding lead in the polls evaporated in part because of a smear campaign in which he was falsely suspected of being both Christian and ethnic Chinese. Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, and race and religion remain sensitive issues. Both candidates are Muslim and ethnic Javanese.Mr. Joko’s early, commanding lead in the polls evaporated in part because of a smear campaign in which he was falsely suspected of being both Christian and ethnic Chinese. Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, and race and religion remain sensitive issues. Both candidates are Muslim and ethnic Javanese.
Mr. Prabowo was criticized during the campaign for his controversial military career, including allegations of gross human rights abuses as the commander of Indonesia’s Special Forces and as head of the army strategic reserve command under Mr. Suharto, who was forced to resign in 1998 amid pro-democracy demonstrations.Mr. Prabowo was criticized during the campaign for his controversial military career, including allegations of gross human rights abuses as the commander of Indonesia’s Special Forces and as head of the army strategic reserve command under Mr. Suharto, who was forced to resign in 1998 amid pro-democracy demonstrations.
Mr. Joko is the first presidential candidate who was not on the political scene during Mr. Suharto’s regime. The election has been characterized by some as both a race between Indonesia’s rich and poor and a choice between a reformer and a figure from the authoritarian past.Mr. Joko is the first presidential candidate who was not on the political scene during Mr. Suharto’s regime. The election has been characterized by some as both a race between Indonesia’s rich and poor and a choice between a reformer and a figure from the authoritarian past.
More than 187 million Indonesians were registered to vote at more than 450,000 polling stations on more than 7,000 islands across the vast archipelago. Voter turnout during the April 9 general elections was an impressive 75 percent, and analysts said that turnout Wednesday could be higher, given the nationwide excitement about the campaign.More than 187 million Indonesians were registered to vote at more than 450,000 polling stations on more than 7,000 islands across the vast archipelago. Voter turnout during the April 9 general elections was an impressive 75 percent, and analysts said that turnout Wednesday could be higher, given the nationwide excitement about the campaign.
At a polling station in Tangerang, in Banten Province, just outside of Jakarta, Bondar, a 33-year-old barber, said he had voted from Mr. Joko, who is popularly known as “Jokowi.” At a polling station in Tangerang, in Banten Province, just outside of Jakarta, Bondar, a 33-year-old barber, said he had voted from Mr. Joko.
“I voted for Jokowi because he has no connection with the Suharto family,” he said, brandishing a fingertip marked with black indelible ink to show he had already voted. “He won’t be influenced by the old regime.”“I voted for Jokowi because he has no connection with the Suharto family,” he said, brandishing a fingertip marked with black indelible ink to show he had already voted. “He won’t be influenced by the old regime.”
At the same polling station, Zulkifli A.S., 56, a civil servant working at a nearby land affairs office, said he voted for Mr. Prabowo because of his military background.At the same polling station, Zulkifli A.S., 56, a civil servant working at a nearby land affairs office, said he voted for Mr. Prabowo because of his military background.
“He will be a firmer, stronger leader,” he said. “I also think he has better knowledge of international affairs.”“He will be a firmer, stronger leader,” he said. “I also think he has better knowledge of international affairs.”
In Central Jakarta, hundreds of supporters and onlookers mobbed Mr. Joko as he arrived at a polling station set up in a local park.
“This is a very good day for the Indonesian nation and Indonesian people,” Mr. Joko said. “I’m very confident.”
Katherina Setiadi, a 95-year-old who grew up under Dutch colonial rule in Indonesia, said she voted for Mr. Joko because she felt he was a good man.Katherina Setiadi, a 95-year-old who grew up under Dutch colonial rule in Indonesia, said she voted for Mr. Joko because she felt he was a good man.
“There’s so much energy today compared to” Mr. Suharto’s regime, said Ms. Setiadi, sitting in a wheelchair and accompanied by family members. “You just feel it — feel the democracy.”“There’s so much energy today compared to” Mr. Suharto’s regime, said Ms. Setiadi, sitting in a wheelchair and accompanied by family members. “You just feel it — feel the democracy.”
Nearby, Nuka Santoso, a 57-year-old psychologist, said she voted for Mr. Prabowo because of his leadership qualities and rejected claims that he might roll back the democratization that Indonesia has undertaken during the past 16 years.Nearby, Nuka Santoso, a 57-year-old psychologist, said she voted for Mr. Prabowo because of his leadership qualities and rejected claims that he might roll back the democratization that Indonesia has undertaken during the past 16 years.
“I’m not worried at all,” she said. “I come from a military family, and I think people want a leader who is firm.”“I’m not worried at all,” she said. “I come from a military family, and I think people want a leader who is firm.”
Mr. Prabowo voted Wednesday morning in Bogor, West Java Province, just outside of Jakarta, where he has a residence. “I’m optimistic,” he said, as a crowd of supporters cheered him on. “And I thank you very much. We hope we will win.”