Update | Widodo wins Indonesian presidency, but doubts remain as rival vows supporters 'will not remain silent'
Country elects its first president without links to its autocratic past, but rival questions poll and vows supporters 'will not remain silent'
Uncertainty hung over the Indonesian presidential election after Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo was declared the winner of the closely-fought race, hours after his rival and former general Prabowo Subianto withdrew from the contest, condemning the poll as fraudulent.
We reject the 2014 presidential election, which is illegitimate
Widodo won 53 per cent of the vote compared to 47 per cent for Prabowo, according to the election commission in the world's third-largest democracy.
The election commission announcement came after a dramatic final day to the country's most divisive election period since the end of the Suharto era in 1998, with Prabowo angrily accusing Widodo's team of committing fraud and announcing his withdrawal from the race.
Prabowo's move raises the prospect of uncertainty, including a potential constitutional court challenge.
"This is a victory for all Indonesian people," Widodo, said in a televised speech. "We hope this victory will pave the way to build Indonesia to be an independent economy."
Social media was abuzz with comments congratulating Widodo, nicknamed Jokowi. "Indonesia will be a better nation under Jokowi, God bless," wrote one Twitter user with the name Prettyinpink69.