Indonesia: President Widodo wins reelection May 21 /update 4

Event

The General Election Commission (KPU) announced on the night (local time) of Tuesday, May 22, that incumbent President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo won the April 17 elections after securing 55.5 percent of the vote. Prabowo Subianto received 44.5 percent but has alleged there was widespread voter fraud and cheating. Around 1000 of Prabowo's supporters rallied in Jakarta on Tuesday night before being disperse in the early morning hours of Wednesday, May 22, by police firing tear gas. Prabowo's campaign team has said it will contest the election results in the Constitutional Court, and further demonstrations by his supporters are possible in the coming days. 

Heightened security measures remain in place in Jakarta as of Wednesday morning to prevent any large-scale protests from breaking out. Additional police officers have been deployed around the KPU building on Jalan Imam Bonjol in the Menteng neighborhood. Areas around the commission have also been cordoned off with barbed wire and armored vehicles and water cannons are reportedly at the building. Similar increased security measures, including road closures and security cordons, may be implemented throughout the city if additional protests are held. Telecommunication and significant traffic disruptions are also possible, particularly around demonstration sites.

Advice

Individuals in Jakarta are advised to anticipate heightened security measures, protests, and transportation and telecommunication disruptions, adhere to instructions issued by local authorities, avoid all public demonstrations due to the threat of terrorism, and refrain from discussing politics in public or on social media.