Colorful elections<\/p>\n
Pilkada -- an abbreviation meaning local leaders' elections --
\nhas become a buzzword among Indonesians today. It involves the
\ndirect election of governors, mayors and regents.<\/p>\n
Given the various customs of the regions, people conduct and
\ncelebrate the polling day in their own ways. And given that these
\nare the first direct local leaders' elections ever held in
\nIndonesia's 60-year history, some imperfections have inevitably
\noccurred.<\/p>\n
While voters in Solo, Central Java, eagerly cast their votes
\nat polling stations, many residents in Semarang abstained from
\nthe historic event.<\/p>\n
Some Papuans were still unregistered on polling day.<\/p>\n
Widely known as soccer enthusiasts, Surabaya residents in East
\nJava played a soccer-type game at a polling station.<\/p>\n
After all, that's democracy. Like soccer, democracy must show
\nfairness amidst competition.<\/p>\n
-- The Jakarta Post<\/p>\n
Photo A: Election<\/p>\n
JP\/ID Nugroho<\/p>\n
A polling station in Kebonsari, Surabaya, is decorated with
\nsoccer attributes. Polling committee members wore soccer uniforms
\nwhile voters had the chance to kick a ball to win snacks.<\/p>\n
Photo B: Election<\/p>\n
JP\/Nethy Dharma Somba<\/p>\n
Four blind people in Jayapura, Papua, stay at home on polling
\nday. The poll committee did not register certain blind people for
\nsome unknown reason.<\/p>\n
Photo C: Election<\/p>\n
JP\/Blontank Poer<\/p>\n
The Klewer traditional market in Solo, Central Java, stopped
\ntrading on polling day. Vendors closed their shops to cast their
\nballots as well as to anticipate possible rioting. Solo was among
\nthe hardest hit by riots in May 1998.<\/p>\n
Photo D: Election<\/p>\n
JP\/Ruslan Sangadji<\/p>\n
A church in Poso, Central Sulawesi, functions as a polling
\nstation. Residents wait their turn to cast ballot.<\/p>\n
Photo E: Election<\/p>\n
JP\/Andi Hajramurni<\/p>\n
The Gowa election committee provided special polling stations in
\n16 spots to ensure that local people who were not issued with
\nvoter registration cards could participate in the ballot.<\/p>\n
Photo F: Election<\/p>\n
JP\/Suherdjoko<\/p>\n
A poll witness checks the validity of a ballot paper at a polling
\nstation in Semarang, Central Java. About 60 people abstain from
\nthe polling station to protest against the local administration.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/colorful-elections-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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