Indonesia elections: Vote counting begins as polls close

An election official checks a ballot during counting at a polling station after voting ended during Indonesia's presidential and legislative elections in Kwamki Narama district, Mimika regency, Central Papua on Feb 14, 2024. - AFP

JAKARTA: Polls have officially closed at 1pm local time (2pm Singapore time) and the unofficial quick count of ballots is under way in Indonesia’s presidential election, in which three candidates are vying to succeed popular President Joko Widodo, who is stepping down after a decade in power.

Former special forces lieutenant-general and current Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto, touted as the front runner in various electability surveys, is locked in a race with former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan and former Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo.