Indonesia’s Presidential Election: Waiting for the Final Verdict

INDONESIA - In Brief 13 Jul 2014 by Cyrillus Harinowo

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The Indonesian Presidential Election was successfully done on July 9, 2014. There was no report of any major incidents related to the election. Even though the tension was very high during the campaigning period, yet there was no report of any horizontal conflicts between the supporters of the two candidates. What was also interesting was the last day of the campaigning period in which a major concert was conducted in the Jakarta’s Main Stadium and attended by literally over one hundred thousands of people. The concert was organized by artists who voluntarily gave their time for free to support Jokowi‘s Candidacy. Many analysts thought that was a measure of the People’s Power if things should go wrong. People came to the concert voluntarily and came with all kind of transportation that they can afford to get. On the day of the elections, 7 major polling institutions (they have been proven independent and accurate in the previous elections) which reported quick count result in which Jokowi won the election. Strange thing happened, since one major TV Station, TV One owned by Aburizal Bakri who happened to be a member of the Prabowo’s Coalition, reported quick count result of 4 polling institutions. The credibility of these four institutions is questionable. However, while Jokowi declared victory based on the quick count results from the 7 credible institutions, Prabowo also declared victory based on the 4 institutions’ results. The tensions were high. However, after a few days have passed, things remained calm in the country, as if people go back to their business as usual. However, from both candidates’ camps, tensions are very high. Jokowi’s camp, and are shared by maj...