WNAM MONITORING: Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto has a strong lead in the race for the presidency, preliminary results from pollsters suggested on Wednesday after polls closed. Official results are not due until next month, but at least two independent pollsters who collected a sample of votes at polling stations for so-called “quick counts” put Prabowo at more than 55 percent, with nearly two thirds of the vote sample counted. Pollster Poltracking showed him at 59.53 percent in the preliminary count and Cyrus Network-CSIS had him at 58.27 percent as of 5 p.m. Litbang Kompas recorded the Gerindra Party chairman garnering 58.82 percent. Prabowo needs to claim more than 50 percent of the overall vote and at least a fifth of ballots cast in over half the country’s 38 provinces to secure the presidency over his rivals Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo. “The hope is to win,” Prabowo told reporters earlier in the day before voting in Bogor, West Java.
Prabowo was all smiles as he addressed thousands of supporters at the Istora Sports Stadium in Jakarta, accompanied by his running mate, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the eldest son of President Joko Widodo.
“We are grateful that the quick count results from all survey agencies indicate a clear win for Prabowo and Gibran,” Prabowo said, receiving thunderous applause from the audience.
“We will serve as the president and vice president for all Indonesian people. I have repeatedly said that I will protect all citizens, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, or social background. It is our responsibility to work for the best interests of the Indonesian people,” he added.
