Bogor. Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo was named presidential candidate by the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, or PDI-P, after the party’s meeting at Batu Tulis Palace in Bogor on Friday.

PDI-P Chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri announced the much-awaited decision accompanied by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and House of Representatives Speaker Puan Maharani.

“In the name of Allah, the most beneficient and the most merciful, I declare Ganjar Pranowo – currently the Central Java Governor, a member and a servant of the party – as the presidential candidate of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle," Megawati said in the event streamed live on the PDI-P YouTube account.

She then put a traditional cap on Ganjar’s head, saying: “This is the symbol of the Indonesian people.”

Ganjar has been leading polls since early last year over two potential contenders Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto and former Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan.

“I was mandated to serve as the Central Java governor by Madame Megawati, and now I am given an even challenging mandate as the presidential candidate, for which I’m really honored,” Ganjar said.