Jakarta governor Widodo leading Indonesian presidential election
Baku, July 10 (AZERTAC). Joko Widodo was ahead in Indonesia's razor-tight presidential election with more than 80 percent of the votes tallied, according to early quick count results.
But supporters of his rival, Prabowo Subianto, a wealthy ex-army general with close links to former dictator Suharto, urged caution saying it is too early to declare a victory after what has been the most polarizing election campaign since Indoneisa's transition to democracy in 1998.
Widodo, known by his nickname Jokowi, was ahead by about 52 percent, while Prabowo Subianto had about 48 percent of the vote, according to most credible quick count surveys
Just a couple of months ago, the election was considered firmly in favor of Widodo, 53, who rose from humble beginnings as a furniture maker to become the governor of Jakarta with a squeaky-clean political record.
But a late surge by Subianto, 62, vastly improved his chances after he wooed legions of supporters with calls for nationalism despite allegations of widespread human rights abuses during his military career and his connection with Suharto - his former father-in-law.
Widodo's appeal is that despite a lack of experience in national politics, he is seen as a man of the people who wants to advance democratic reforms and is untainted by the often corrupt military and business elite which has run the country for decades.
He is the first candidate in direct elections with no connection to the 1966-1998 Suharto-era and its excesses.
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