Despite his chequered past, Mr Prabowo, 72, has the political experience to govern Indonesia effectively and represent Indonesia on the international stage, added these observers.
Official results are not due until next month, but at least two independent pollsters put Prabowo at more than 55 percent, with nearly two thirds of the vote sample counted.
It is possible the figures could change, and the official results will be announced by the General Elections Commission by March 20.
The General Elections Commission has recruited 5.7 million local poll administrators to work in 820,000 polling stations across the country.
Overseas voting began on Feb. 5, 2024, with the first votes cast in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
In what has been called the world’s biggest single-day elections, voters across the archipelago are also electing their parliamentarians as well as their executive and…
There have been widespread concerns over possible electoral fraud and democratic decline in Indonesia ahead of the election.
With a BI reference rate of Rp 15,585 on Tuesday, it hit the highest value so far this month just before the election.
The increase in consumer confidence is backed by improving metrics in people’s expectations of current income and job availability.
After six hours of voting, polling stations in western Indonesia have closed, with official results expected to be released in March.