"Regardless of who is the winner in the elections, the pair are our leaders. The pair that lost must gracefully come to terms with the reality," he stated in a conversation with journalists while responding to questions on the implementation of the parliamentary and presidential elections in Padang on Wednesday.
Prayitno believes every competition has winners and losers, but those tasting victory are advised to not become engulfed by arrogance, while those losing should not become disenchanted. He further called on the need for loyalists of the two competing sides to reunite.
The loyalists and backers of the Joko Widodo-Ma'ruf Amin and Prabowo Subianto-Sandiaga Uno pairs are advised to forego whatever transpired during this election process and to come together again within the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.
Some 192 million Indonesians are eligible voters, many of whom cast their ballot at over 800 thousand polling stations throughout the archipelago.
Coordinator of the Prabowo-Sandi pair's National Winning Body's spokespersons Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak revealed that an exit poll conducted by his camp showed that the Prabowo-Sandi pair had garnered 55.4 percent of the votes.
Simultaneously, quick counts from several pollsters telecast live by several television stations indicate a steady lead for the Joko Widodo-Ma'ruf Amin pair, with their electability surpassing that of the Prabowo-Sandi pair.
Both camps presently await the General Elections Commission's (KPU's) real count, as the final result is legally binding.
Speaking in connection with several pollsters' results pointing in favor of the Jokowi-Amin pair, Subianto accused them of swaying the public opinion.
In its place, presidential candidate number 02 Subianto has urged his loyalists and volunteers to stay unperturbed and safeguard the ballot boxes carrying the legal votes of all voters.
"Please remain focused on securing all ballot boxes since the voters' votes are the key to fighting deceit," he affirmed.
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Miko E, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
