The official count released yesterday by the country’s General Election Commission gives incumbent Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono 60.8% of the national vote, a result in line with most exit polls and one that avoids the need for a second-round run-off.

The accuracy of the surveys will be welcome news for the profession, which has faced criticism and calls for tougher rules to govern their activities.

Initially pollsters were barred from releasing results of their exit polls before the General Election Commission issued their vote tally. However, these restrictions were overturned a week before voting got under way.