UPDATE - Vote count begins as polling closed in Indonesia local elections

UPDATES WITH POLLING CLOSED; REVISES HEADLINE, LEDE

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) - The vote count began after polling closed in Indonesia’s local elections on Wednesday as hundreds of millions of voters hit the polls to elect their local representatives, according to local media.

Polling began at 7.00 a.m. local Jakarta time (0000GMT) Wednesday and continued until 1.00 p.m. (0600GMT), The Jakarta Post reported.

This is the first simultaneous and largest regional polls in the country’s history, where over 200 million registered voters will elect 37 governors, 93 mayors, 415 regents, and their respective deputies.

Each voter cast multiple ballots in their respective regions, including one for governor and another for either a mayor or regent.

Voting in West Java, President Prabowo Subianto said the election outcome "should bring people together."

"Every election has winners and losers. Those who win must lead for everyone, and those who lose must collaborate. The most important thing is serving and working for the people," The Jakarta Globe quoted him as saying.

Counting began immediately after the polling stations closed and will continue until Dec. 16.

- Ex-President Joko-backed candidate set to win in Central Java

Ahmad Luthfi, a retired police general backed by former President Joko Widodo is poised to win the Central Java gubernatorial election, securing nearly 60% of the vote in a two-way race, according to The Jakarta Globe.

Ahmad faced off against Andika Perkasa, the former armed forces commander who previously led the presidential security force during Jokowi's early presidency.

The Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI) quick count results show Ahmad leading decisively with 59.38% of the votes.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid​​​​​​​