JAKARTA, Indonesia – The country's two presidential hopefuls are now official candidates, after Gerindra Party leader Prabowo Subianto filed with the General Elections Commission (KPU) on Tuesday (May 20th), media reported.

Gerindra Party leader Prabowo Subianto (centre) salutes supporters Tuesday (May 20th) as he heads to the General Elections Commission (KPU) office in Jakarta to register his presidential candidacy. [Adek Berry/AFP]

Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) candidate Joko Widodo registered the day before, according to The Jakarta Post.

Also on Tuesday, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's Democratic Party announced it would not formally back either contender for the July 9th election.