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Indonesian President Calls for Election Loser to Admit Defeat


Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (c) along with presidential candidates Prabowo Subianto (l) and Joko Widodo, attend a prayer after breaking their fast at the State Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 20, 2014.
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (c) along with presidential candidates Prabowo Subianto (l) and Joko Widodo, attend a prayer after breaking their fast at the State Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 20, 2014.

As Indonesia prepares to hear the official results of this month's presidential election, the country's leader is calling for the eventual loser to admit defeat.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono says he hopes there is sincerity from the candidate who finishes in second.

He says admitting defeat is noble, congratulating the winner is so valuable. "If the loser congratulates the winner sincerely, then God will grant glory for him," said President Yudhoyono.

He says if a candidate refuses to accept the result, which is being released Tuesday, he should lodge a complaint with the Constitutional Court.

Prabowo Subianto and Joko Widodo have each claimed victory in the July 9 presidential ballot, with official results expected Tuesday.

Subianto says he will not accept the results until the National Election Commission investigates allegations of vote fraud.

Most pollsters have predicted a win for Widodo based on a quick count sampling.

The national police and army will deploy more than 3,400 personnel around the KPU office in Jakarta before Tuesday's announcement of the results.

National Army Chief General Moeldoko says with the additional forces, the military and police now are ready to prevent security disturbances that could occur at any time during or after the announcement.

This report was produced in collaboration with the VOA Indonesian service.

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