Two unsuccessful candidates in last week's Indonesian presidential election have called on the country’s parliament to investigate complaints of alleged irregularities in the run-up to the poll.
The demand comes despite independent observers finding there were no signs of systematic fraud in the world's biggest single-day election.
Unofficial counts show Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto won the race in a single round of voting, with about 58% of votes. The official results are due to be announced on March 20.
Rivals Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo are projected to have won 25% and 17% respectively, with a preliminary count by election authorities showing a similar breakdown.
However both losing camps have complained of voter intimidation, manipulation of state institutions, and misuse of state resources, such as welfare funds, during the campaign period to sway the election outcome. They are yet to provide any direct evidence.
Election scrutineers did find some outdated electoral rolls or polling delays had caused minor problems but nothing which would substantially affect the result.
Ganjar demanded an urged an inquiry when the Indonesian parliament reconvenes on 5 March.
"Something like this must be investigated," he said. "At a minimum parliament should hold a hearing."
Anies, a former governor of the capital Jakarta, said on Tuesday his camp was "ready to participate" in a parliamentary inquiry that allows lawmakers to investigate government actions.
He added: "We see it as a good initiative”.
Anies does not belong to any political party but is backed by three while Ganjar is backed by two, including the biggest party in parliament, PDI-P.
Outgoing President Joko Widodo has faced criticism over his endorsement of Prabowo and perceived attempts in the lead-up to voting day to influence the outcome, but he and his allies have denied such accusations.
An inquiry would be difficult to launch as it would need support from lawmakers, said Arya Fernandes of Indonesia's Center for Strategic and International Studies.
He said: "Even if the inquiry is approved, the outcome will not be able to annul election results.”
Prabowo, who lost the past two presidential elections in 2014 and 2019 contested the outcome both times in Indonesia's Constitutional Court, claiming widespread cheating. Both efforts were rejected.
