TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Prabowo-Gibran National Campaign Team Chief Rosan Perkasa Roeslani responds to allegations of election fraud that purportedly benefitted the pair.

The 2024 presidential election is finally over. The quick count tallies by survey agencies have placed Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka at the top with 56 to 58 percent votes. The No. 02 pair is almost certain to win the election in a single round.

Even so, Prabowo-Gibran’s imminent win is marred with chaos and suspected fraud during the voting, allegedly benefitting the pair. Mishaps ranged from voter invitations that were not distributed to pre-punched ballot papers. The Prabowo-Gibran National Campaign Team (TKN) Chief, Rosan Perkasa Roeslani, stated that the potential for fraud actually lies with other presidential candidates. “They built a narrative that we are the ones cheating,” he insisted.

Rosan said the recipe for Prabowo-Gibran’s victory was a combination of several factors, such as strong support from young voters, the ‘gemoy’ (adorable) campaign pitch and the President Joko Widodo factor, among others. The former State-Owned Enterprises Deputy Minister also acknowledged ­that the rising trend of Jokowi’s popularity had contributed to the surge in support for Prabowo.

The day after Prabowo-Gibran gave a victory speech, on February 15, Rosan received Tempo at the Recapital building in South Jakarta. He answered questions surrounding the accusations of election fraud that advantaged Prabowo, the coalition plan, and the grueling campaign schedule that robbed him of sleep. “I slept less than five hours a day during the campaign period,” he said. Excerpts:

A myriad of fraud accusations tainted Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s leading position in the quick count results. What is your response?

Our survey recorded that the potential for fraud lies with other candidates. We observed that a narrative was constructed that accuses us of cheating. Logically, we are far ahead. I’m sorry, but we will still win even if Anies Baswedan-Munaimin Iskandar and Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud Md’s votes are multiplied by two.

Our investigation found unfair tactics in the form of social assistance distribution and mobilization of state institutions to win votes for Prabowo-Gibran. How do you explain that?

I don’t want to comment on anything outside of what we did. We see the result as the people’s response towards the Prabowo-Gibran pair. It means the public accepts and has faith in our narrative. I cannot comment on other people’s assumptions.

The documentary Dirty Vote revealed devious practices in every phase of the 2024 General Elections…

That’s the narrative they built. Was it effective? Well, look at the results of February 14. The movie only caused a stir in their own chambers and did not spread to the wider public. It even gave us a positive impact.

What positive impact is that?

The public doesn’t like that kind of (tactic). Look when Pak Prabowo was attacked in a (presidential) debate. People don’t like when you overdo it. They don’t like hoax, slander and the vainglory attitude.

What was Prabowo’s comment about the documentary?

He said, “That’s normal. Just wait and see, attacks will definitely come at the last minute. Not only to me, but to you as well. But that’s okay. Our votes will get higher.” It turned out to be true.

Read the Full Interview in Tempo English Magazine