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03/29/2024 06:25:32 am

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Jokowi Celebrates Triumph, Prabowo Prepares His Challenge

Indonesian President-Elect Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and his supporters celebrated their electoral victory on Wednesday despite former Suharto general Prabowo Subianto's announcement that he would file an electoral challenge to contest the results of the presidential election.

With 71 million votes, the Indonesian furniture business owner was officially declared the winner of Asia's largest third world country and defeated the 62-year-old former general by over 8 million votes.

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Jokowi's "can-do" image and humble origins propelled him to triumph in the closest presidential race in Indonesian history. He will officially run the country by October.

The Indonesian electorate see Jokowi, 53, as a person that would give them a chance to break free from the traditional and post-authoritarian process of running Indonesia's young democracy.

"He is a different generation of politician and there's a market for politicians like him who are lower-key, but who get things done," Jakarta-based political analyst Paul Rowland stated.

Meanwhile, spokesperson Tantowi Yahya clarified at a press conference on Wednesday if Prabowo has officially withdrawn his candidacy based on his statement a few hours before the announcement of official results on July 22.

"Prabowo never withdrew from the election process. He withdrew from the recapitulation process," he stated.

During the same event, the Prabowo camp announced that they will bring their complaint to the Constitutional Court, which is due within three days after announcing the official election results.

According to Constitutional Court Secretary General Janedjri Gaffar, if the case was brought to court by this Friday, hearings will begin on August 6. The announcement of the decision will be on August 21 and will not be open for an appeal.

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