JAKARTA (AFP/Reuters) - Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo declared victory on Wednesday in Indonesia's tightest and most divisive presidential race since the downfall of former president Suharto, which has pitted him against former general Prabowo Subianto.

It came after unofficial tallies from polling agencies showed him leading with around 53 per cent of the vote against Mr Prabowo's 47 per cent.

Flanked by members of his Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle in the capital, Mr Joko said: "We would like to greatly thank all the Indonesian people... as well as party members who worked hard from morning to evening." He is popularly known as "Jokowi".

Mr Prabowo is still confident of winning the election, a senior Prabowo party official said, dismissing claims of victory by rival Joko "Jokowi" Widodo. "It's too early to say that (Jokowi has won). This is still in the quick count stage and several TV stations have different results. The final result will be July 22 by the KPU (Election Commission) so (we are) still optimistic that Prabowo (has won)," vice-chairman of Mr Prabowo's Gerindra party Fadli Zon told Reuters.