Indonesia Protests: Jakarta on high alert amid post-election demonstrations

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02:18

In Indonesia, protestors have been gathering across the capital Jakarta following the country's election. Several areas are on high alert as the masses clash with police, who have retaliated with tear gas. President Joko Widodo is urging the public to stay calm and united during this time. CGTN's Silkina Ahluwalia reports from Jakarta.

Authorities have put Jakarta on high alert as protestors take to the streets post-election results.

Prabowo Subianto's supporters gathered in front of the Election Supervisory Agency's office on Wednesday to demand a complete recount of the presidential election results which shows Joko winning 55 percent of the votes.

FERI AMSARI CONSTITUTIONAL STUDIES EXPERT "The most constitutional option for both parties is to accept the results as it is because everyone who enters a competition should be ready to win and to lose. Prabowo's team should address their loss in a professional manner. He should use his authority to encourage the country to come together as one and support the winning party."

But that isn't the reality. Prabowo has challenged the results and brought his case to the Constitutional Court.

The process might take more than a month, in which experts say will be a sensitive period for Indonesia. Authorities have deployed 30 thousand personnel in areas where crowds are expected to continue to gather until the 25th of May.

SILKINA AHLUWALIA JAKARTA, INDONESIA "Political figures are urging the public to continue to remain calm and unified and most importantly to not provoke each other."

In order to stop fake news from circulating on social media, the Indonesian government has partially blocked applications such as Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.

In a speech on Wednesday, President Joko have also asked the public to maintain a strong sense of togetherness during this time.

JOKO WIDODO INDONESIAN PRESIDENT "We will not give any space for rioters who try to damage our country, to damage the state of unity of the Republic of Indonesia."

The main priority right now is to keep Indonesia safe from threats of violence and terrorism and to stop creating further conflict and tension.

Silkina Ahluwalia, CGTN, Jakarta.