The results so far attest to the influence of new president Prabowo and his predecessor Joko Widodo, who endorsed their preferred candidates in several provinces ahead of polling day.

Indonesians voted on Wednesday to pick local leaders in the country's biggest simultaneous regional election, with President Prabowo Subianto seeking to consolidate his grip on power.

The election pits Mr Prabowo’s candidate, former West Java governor Ridwan Kamil, against the opposition pick, former Cabinet secretary Pramono Anung, for control of a metropolis that accounts for about a fifth of the country’s economic output.

All eyes on Jakarta as vote counting underway for Indonesia’s regional elections Vote counting is underway in Indonesia's regional election, with over 200 million eligible voters. The polls are being seen as a litmus test for President Prabowo Subianto.

Unofficial counts showed Pramono Anung leading with 48 per cent to 50 per cent of the vote. Read more at straitstimes.com.