Indonesian Ex-general Leads In Presidential Race

Millions of people across Indonesia’s 17,000 islands and three time zones have now voted for their next president.

Unofficial results predict a win for defence minister Prabowo Subianto, a former special forces commander dogged by allegations of human rights abuses.

Those results currently show Prabowo has won more than 50% of the vote – meaning he avoids a second-round run-off.
The predicted win has prompted fears that Indonesia is in danger of sliding back towards its authoritarian past.

Anies Baswedan, who was labelled the dark horse of the race, appears to have secured second place in the quick count.

Ganjar Pranowo, whose party supported outgoing President Widodo’s two previous campaigns, has come third according to unofficial results.

BBC