Candidates backed by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto are on course to secure electoral victories in some crucial regional elections, giving the sitting president an upper hand to implement his agenda,

The results so far attest to the influence of new president Prabowo and his predecessor Joko Widodo, who endorsed their preferred candidates in several provinces ahead of polling day.

JAKARTA -- Gubernatorial candidates backed by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto are likely to secure victory across the country's key provinces -- except in Jakarta, where the opposition-backed hopeful has gained a lead, results from usually reliable surveys show.

Prabowo Subianto’s favored candidate is trailing behind the opposition pick in Jakarta’s governor election in a potential blow for Indonesia’s new president though there’s a chance the contest may still go to a runoff.

Candidates backed by new Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto look set to secure victories in key regional elections, with the exception of Jakarta, which analysts said should make it easier to implement his agenda and reinforce his political clout.

Indonesians voted on Wednesday to pick local leaders in the country's biggest simultaneous regional election, with President Prabowo Subianto seeking to consolidate his grip on power.

Unofficial counts showed Pramono Anung leading with 48 per cent to 50 per cent of the vote. Read more at straitstimes.com.