Indonesia\'s polls show early win for Joko Widodo

Indonesia woke up to the prospect of five more years of President Joko Widodo on Thursday (April 18).

The country's financial markets rallied in approval, jumping to a 14-month high, as unofficial results showed Widodo ahead with a comfortable lead.

The 'quick counts' showed him winning with around 54 percent.

Investors may be cheering him as a steady, if slow, reformer in the country.

But early results haven't stopped challenger Probowo Subianto from declaring victory - just like when he narrowly lost to Widodo in 2014.

Reuters Tom Allard is in the capital Jakarta.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) REUTERS' SOUTHEAST ASIA CORRESPONDENT TOM ALLARD, SAYING: "Prabowo Subianto, Jokowi's challenger, is seen as a much bigger risk for Indonesia.

He has a volatile temper, a poor human rights record from his time as a special forces commander.

He also has strong ties to the elites, who still control much of the economy 21 years after the fall of the corrupt dictator Suharto.

He's also called for vigilance by his supporters - but not street protests, at this stage.

It will be interesting to see if he mobilizes big protests after Friday prayers, when he has planned a rally.

A challenge by Prabowo's team to the election result in the constitutional court is a distinct possibility." However, analysts have already turned to what Widodo could do with a victory.

Beyond reforming schools or opening Indonesia up to more foreign cash, Widodo's cabinet choices would be a sign of how willing he is to make risky reforms. (SOUNDBITE) (English) REUTERS' SOUTHEAST ASIA CORRESPONDENT TOM ALLARD, SAYING: "They will be especially alert to the role taken by Jokowi's new vice president, the conservative cleric Marouf Ami.

Marouf, perhaps like no other individual, has been responsible for Indonesia's shift to a more conservative brand of Islam.

But on the campaign trail, he's been a model of tolerance and a defender of pluralism.

It will be interesting to see if that remains the case." Widodo acknowledged on Wednesday (April 17) the results pointed to a win, but urged his supporters to wait for official results in May.