(VOVworld) - Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo has been declared the winner of Indonesia's hotly contested presidential election.

Joko Widodo savors his presidential election victory Tuesday in Jakarta (Photo: AFP)

The election commission said Mr. Widodo won 53.15% of the votes with his rival, ex-general Prabowo Subianto, on 46.85%. Mr. Widodo will take office to replace outgoing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on October 20^th.

70.7 percent of Indonesian voters cast their ballots on July 9^th in peace. This has been the third democratic election in Indonesia since the comprehensive reform began in 1998, which promises to revitalize the biggest economy in South East Asia.