Jakarta (AsiaNews) Former General Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono won the first round in Indonesia's presidential elections held on July 5, and will face in the run-off outgoing president Megawati Sukarnoputri, according to official data released by the National Election Commission (KPU). This confirms early results. KPU's Secretary-General, Hsa Yusacc, announced that Yudhoyono's share of the total vote stood at 33.57% representing about 40 million voters against 26.60% for Megawati (31.5 million voters).
The official announcement of the results in Indonesia's first direct presidential elections was marred by a small explosion that took place in the KPU's Headquarters in Jakarta.
According to Police sources, the blast was caused by a device whose explosive power was closer to a big firecracker than a real bomb. Damage was limited.
The run-off election is scheduled for September 20.
