Jakarta's popular governor of won 53.15 per cent of the votes. His challenger, retired general Subianto, withdraws from the competition, alleging "fraud", and vows to appeal to the Constitutional Court. Tensions remain high in the capital.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) - Popular Jakarta governor Joko Widodo is poised to win Indonesia's presidential election, according to results broadcast on television.

The election commission is yet to announce the formal result, but a tally shows Mr Widodo, also known as Jokowi, won 53.15 per cent of the vote.

His rival, retired general Prabowo Subianto, said he is withdrawing from the election process, alleging fraud, and vowed to challenge the results.

The election commission is due to announce the formal results in the evening, but jubilant supporters have already begun flooding Twitter with congratulatory messages for Mr Widodo, using the hashtag #presidenbaru (New President).

Mr Widodo has proved to be particularly popular with urban and rural youth and represents a decisive break with Indonesia's authoritarian past.

In the meantime however, tensions continue in Indonesian cities continue. In Jakarta, soldiers and police have blocked access to the main meeting places, schools have closed early and checkpoints have been set up on the roads to Banten and West Java province.

The military is concerned about external "infiltration" to manipulate public opinion in the capital and perhaps unleash violence.

• indonesia
• presidential
• election
• widowo