JAKARTA, Mar 21: Indonesias Prabowo Subianto has been elected president of the worlds third-biggest democracy, the elections commission said Wednesday, beating two rivals who have vowed to file legal complaints about the vote.
The fiery defence minister and his vice presidential running mate Gibran Rakabuming Raka -- eldest son of outgoing leader Joko Widodo -- already declared victory last month after unofficial counts showed them winning a majority.
They were officially confirmed as winners Wednesday after receiving more than 96 million votes, commission chairman Hasyim Asyari said, roughly 58.6 percent of the total and enough to secure a first-round majority.
"This decision is effective immediately as of March 20," Asyari said.
Former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan secured 24.9 percent of the vote, while former Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo received more than 16 percent.
More than 164 million Indonesians voted, representing around an 80 percent turnout of eligible voters.
Prabowo, 72, was widely predicted to win the presidency on his third attempt. He takes over in October after a transition period.
Speaking outside his house in the capital Jakarta to thunderous applause from supporters, Prabowo thanked Indonesians and his party for helping him rise to the countrys highest office. —AFP
