The vote raises questions about the commitment to democratic values in the sprawling island nation.
Presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto and running mate Gibran Rakabuming Raka greet supporters in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Feb. 14, 2024. | Vincent Thian/APJAKARTA, Indonesia — A former general linked to past human rights abuses claimed victory Wednesday in Indonesia’s presidential election, a result that would raise questions about the commitment to democratic values in the sprawling island nation that is the world’s third-largest democracy.
According to unofficial tallies conducted by Indonesian polling agencies, Subianto had 57 percent to 59 percent of votes, with more than 80 percent of the vote counted in polling places that were sampled. Widodo’s successor will inherit an economy with impressive growth and ambitious infrastructure projects, including the ongoing transfer of the nation’s capital from congested Jakarta to the frontier island of Borneo at a cost of more than $30 billion.
Aside from the presidency, some 20,000 national, provincial and district parliamentary posts were contested by tens of thousands of candidates in one of the world’s largest elections. About 10,000 aspirants from 18 political parties eyed the national parliament’s 580 seats alone. The court was then headed by Widodo’s brother-in-law, who was removed by an ethics panel for not recusing himself, and Widodo was accused of nepotism.
During the campaign period that concluded last weekend, Subianto and his strategists used AI and social media platforms such as TikTok to soften his image by portraying him as a cuddly grandfather to his youthful running mate. Rejected by human rights activists, he danced on the campaign stage and promised to generate nearly 20 million jobs in his first term.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The Indonesian election will see more than 200 million head to the polls. Here’s what you need to knowYounger Indonesians will be key on February 14 as the country heads to the polls, with around half of registered voters being under the age of 40.
Read more »
Indonesia election: Millions vote to choose a new presidentIndonesian voters are choosing a new president as the world’s third-largest democracy aspires to become a global economic powerhouse a quarter-century after shaking off a dictatorship. The front-runner in Wednesday's election is the only candidate with ties to the brutal Suharto era.
Read more »
Find the AI Approach That Fits the Problem You’re Trying to SolveAI moves quickly, but organizations change much more slowly. What works in a lab may be wrong for your company right now. If you know the right questions to ask, you can make better decisions, regardless of how fast technology changes. You can work with your technical experts to use the right tool for the right job.
Read more »
Why F1 isn't as boring as it looks right nowWe talk to Pat Symonds about the F1 2023 season, and just how exciting the sport can be in the future
Read more »
14 Chicken Soup Recipes Your Sinuses Need Right This MinuteA collection of chicken soup recipes, including superlative takes on classic standards like avglomeno, matzo ball, and chicken and rice soups, as well as spicy tom kha gai, khao soi gai, and sopa de lima.
Read more »
Bell & Ross’ BR 03-Cyber-CE Hits All the Right AnglesThe new BR 03 Cyber Ceramic watch embodies the uninhibited Bell & Ross vision of futuristic watchmaking.
Read more »