Indonesia’s highest court is widely expected on Thursday to uphold last month’s hotly contested presidential election, paving the way for Joko Widodo to take over as leader of the world’s third largest democracy. Losing candidate Prabowo Subianto has asked the Constitutional Court to overturn the election result, saying the vote was tainted by mass fraud. The verdict, expected at around 2 p.m. (0300 EST), cannot be appealed. The case is widely seen as a face-saving gesture and has been a common course of action in previous elections. The court has never overturned the result of a presidential election.
Uncertainty over the election has delayed at least one major economic reform policy, as the outgoing government awaits the verdict before launching talks with Widodo’s transition team on how to address ballooning fuel subsidy costs. “We are waiting for the Constitutional Court decision before starting discussions with the transition team,” chief economics minister Chairul Tanjung told reporters on Wednesday.
Thousands of Prabowo’s supporters are expected outside the court. Around 50,000 police and military personnel are on standby around the capital city in case of violence, authorities said. Some businesses and schools will close early as a precaution.
Full Article: Indonesia’s highest court to decide on election challenge | Reuters.