TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Presidential candidate number two Prabowo Subianto remains optimistic about his chances of clinching victory in a single round of the 2024 election. “Inshallah (God willing),” he said after casting his ballot at the polling station or TPS 33 in Bojong Koneng, Bogor, today, Feb. 14.

The Defense Minister refused to comment further and promptly concluded the doorstep session, departing the polling area.

Prabowo's campaign team has frequently promulgated the notion of a one-round presidential election throughout the campaign period, contending that it could save the state treasury up to Rp 17 trillion, which could be more effectively used to fund social welfare programs.

The optimism is not unfounded, given that President Joko Widodo's eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, is Prabowo's running mate, though the head of state has never publicly endorsed the pair.

As the Prabowo-Gibran camp is optimistic about winning the election, allegations of electoral fraud have mounted. They are purportedly mobilizing a considerable number of regional leaders to support their cause. A few sitting ministers have even thrown their weight and participated in the campaign.

Afriansyah Noor, the camp’s deputy chair, was confident that Prabowo and Gibran emerge victorious in the one-round election. “We are hopeful that the quick count results match the target and the campaign efforts we have made so far. We hope to win the one-round election with 53 -54 percent [of the vote],” he told Tempo on February 13.

HAN REVANDA PUTRA

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