Jakarta. While waiting for the General Elections Committee to release the official results of last week’s election, Indonesia’s political arena continues to keep itself busy with a flurry of activities.
Parties are now evaluating their quick-count results and shaping their latest strategies in facing the upcoming presidential election; the countries election committee is struggling with unresolved problems related to recounts and problematic ballot boxes throughout the archipelago; while the media is scrambling to gauge the final outcome of the unpredictable race.
Not many, it seems, have taken the time to ponder the achievements of the recent legislative election and what they mean to both Indonesia and its people.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies and Cyrus Network reported that 24.8 percent of registered constituents did not, for some reason or another, cast their votes on April 9.
The figure is a welcome drop from 2009’s rate of 29.01 percent, showing an improvement in public participation that is worth being proud of.
Azalia, 21, a first time voter, was excited for her first general elections.
“Of course I voted. I cast my ballot first thing in the morning, before starting my day,” she said, adding that she didn’t want to be one of those people who criticize the government but refuse to take action when they are given the chance to.
Pangeran, 26, was unable to carry out his right to vote five years ago due to a messy and flawed registration process. This year, however, he managed to straighten out his personal data to cast his choice.
“I wanted to participate in the power transition process,” he said.
The higher turnout was bolstered by several factors, according to Titi Anggraini, director of Association for Elections and Democracy (Perludem), one of which was media exposure.
“Some 85 percent of voters get their information from television. With massive exposure on politics and the elections given by the TV stations, no wonder awareness was raised,” Titi said.
Social media, which experienced an exponential burst of growth since 2009, played a significant part in luring voters to polling stations.
“Netizens were really active to get people to vote. Some tried to encourage other to golput [abstain by marking a blank area of the ballot], but the message was countered,” she explained.
Social movements and popular political figures also contributed to the increase of voter turnout.
“It’s amazing for Indonesia. The world trend shows a declining voter turnout, but not here. Maintaining the figure is already good enough, but we managed to increase it,” she said.
Titi is confident that the number of voting participants will also increase for the presidential election.
“Based on previous trends, the presidential election gets more attention and, therefore, garners more votes than the legislative leg. Unregistered voters tend to be carried away by all the excitement, to the point that they actually sign up their data,” she said.
Candidates competing in the upcoming round are more widely known than those in the first, which makes it easier for voters to build a preference toward one particular hopeful.
Ahead of making their final choice in July, constituents are encouraged to do their homework and “consider many aspects before supporting a candidate, don’t be easily impressed with their PR stunts. Check their track record and their plans for this country,” Titi said.
Source/Fuente: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/indonesia-abuzz-ahead-julys-presiden...
