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Indonesia’s president elect Joko Widodo calls for unity Indonesia’s president elect Joko Widodo calls for unity
(about 4 hours later)
Indonesia's president elect Joko Widodo has called for the country to unify after a deeply divisive election that ended with his rival quitting in controversy.Indonesia's president elect Joko Widodo has called for the country to unify after a deeply divisive election that ended with his rival quitting in controversy.
Indonesia's electoral commission on Tuesday night announced Jakarta's popular governor had won with 53% – or more than 70m votes – in the hard-fought 9 July poll.Indonesia's electoral commission on Tuesday night announced Jakarta's popular governor had won with 53% – or more than 70m votes – in the hard-fought 9 July poll.
Hours before the declaration, which had already been predicted by several credible surveys, rival candidate Prabowo Subianto condemned the election process. But Joko's hopes of a smooth path to power were dashed when rival candidate Prabowo Subianto said on Wednesday morning that he would challenge the result in the constitutional court.
The ex-general said he and his vice presidential candidate rejected the "legally tainted" poll. Alleging large-scale cheating, the head of Prabowo's legal team, Mahendradatta, told reporters: "We have decided to bring this case to the Constitutional Court (within three days)."
"We withdraw ourselves from the ongoing process," he said. Most analysts believe the challenge will fail.
Consequently, his coalition's witnesses walked out of the electoral commission, where tallying was in its final stages. The announcement came as little surprise after Subianto had condemned the election process and ordered his witnesses to walk out of the electoral commission where tallying was in its final stages on Tuesday night.
More than 3,000 riot police fortified the building in central Jakarta, but supporters of the divergent camps heeded advice to stay at home.More than 3,000 riot police fortified the building in central Jakarta, but supporters of the divergent camps heeded advice to stay at home.
The close result and polarising nature of the candidates raised fears of riots, particularly for Jakarta residents with memories of the trouble that came with the fall of former president Suharto in 1998.The close result and polarising nature of the candidates raised fears of riots, particularly for Jakarta residents with memories of the trouble that came with the fall of former president Suharto in 1998.
Joko, better known as Jokowi, made his acceptance speech from a wooden boat at Sunda Kelapa, Jakarta's old port, with vice president elect Jusuf Kalla.Joko, better known as Jokowi, made his acceptance speech from a wooden boat at Sunda Kelapa, Jakarta's old port, with vice president elect Jusuf Kalla.
Joko first thanked Prabowo and his running mate, Hatta Rajasa.Joko first thanked Prabowo and his running mate, Hatta Rajasa.
He called for an end to the partisanship that has split Indonesia.He called for an end to the partisanship that has split Indonesia.
Referring to the numbers one and two that have designated the rival tickets, and his famous "Salam Dua Jari" (Two Finger Greeting) campaign song, he proposed a new unified slogan – "Salam Tiga Jari" (Three Finger Greeting).Referring to the numbers one and two that have designated the rival tickets, and his famous "Salam Dua Jari" (Two Finger Greeting) campaign song, he proposed a new unified slogan – "Salam Tiga Jari" (Three Finger Greeting).
"Forget number one, forget number two," Joko said. "Let's go back to one Indonesia.""Forget number one, forget number two," Joko said. "Let's go back to one Indonesia."
The formality caps a remarkable rise for Joko, 53, whose journey from bamboo shack to president has shaken Indonesia's establishment and inspired millions of ordinary citizens.The formality caps a remarkable rise for Joko, 53, whose journey from bamboo shack to president has shaken Indonesia's establishment and inspired millions of ordinary citizens.
As mayor of the central Java city of Solo and governor of Jakarta, he has been lauded as a hands-on reformist.As mayor of the central Java city of Solo and governor of Jakarta, he has been lauded as a hands-on reformist.
The experienced Kalla, 72, was president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's vice president in his first term.The experienced Kalla, 72, was president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's vice president in his first term.
Joko is tipped to retain Yudhoyono's foreign policy settings.Joko is tipped to retain Yudhoyono's foreign policy settings.
In a debate during the campaign, he spoke up for strengthening people-to-people links with Australia to build trust and respect for Indonesia.In a debate during the campaign, he spoke up for strengthening people-to-people links with Australia to build trust and respect for Indonesia.
It was unclear on Tuesday whether Prabowo, 62, still intended to challenge the election in the constitutional court. But as Prabowo prepared his legal battle, there was speculation that a little-known electoral law could see him face up to five years' jail and fined up to Rp50 billion ($A4.6 million) for withdrawing from the race.
Most analysts doubt he would have the grounds to succeed.
There was also speculation of repercussions for Prabowo personally with pundits pointing to a little-known electoral law that could see him face up to five years' jail and fined up to Rp50 billion ($A4.6 million) for withdrawing from the race.
The former son-in-law of Suharto was popular, with voters feeling some nostalgia for the past and who liked his strong nationalist rhetoric.The former son-in-law of Suharto was popular, with voters feeling some nostalgia for the past and who liked his strong nationalist rhetoric.
But he was also dogged by claims of human rights abuses from his time in East Timor and in the chaos that came with the collapse of Suharto.But he was also dogged by claims of human rights abuses from his time in East Timor and in the chaos that came with the collapse of Suharto.
Joko is expected to be inaugurated on 20 October.Joko is expected to be inaugurated on 20 October.
Australian prime minister Tont Abbott congratulated Joko on his win. "The Australian government is looking forward to working closely with him," Abbott said in a statement.Australian prime minister Tont Abbott congratulated Joko on his win. "The Australian government is looking forward to working closely with him," Abbott said in a statement.
"The relationship with Indonesia is extraordinarily important to us.""The relationship with Indonesia is extraordinarily important to us."
Ties between the two nations have been slow to repair in the wake of revelations last year that Australia spied on incumbent Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, his wife and inner circle.Ties between the two nations have been slow to repair in the wake of revelations last year that Australia spied on incumbent Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, his wife and inner circle.