No euphoria this time, but expectations running high<\/p>\n
Kornelius Purba, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
When the nation held its first ever election in 1955, the
\natmosphere was euphoric. The feeling was justified since it was
\nthe first democratic election and just 10 years after the nation
\nwon its independence. It turned out to be the only election
\nduring the presidency of the nation's first president Sukarno.<\/p>\n
Many Indonesians believed five years ago that the country was
\non the right track toward the creation of sustainable civil
\nsociety, that they had succeeded in organizing a peaceful and
\ndemocratic election; a society that is not only prosperous, but
\nalso democratic. As a consequence there would be no more abuse of
\npower or human rights' violations and equal rights and
\nobligations would be granted to all citizens.<\/p>\n
Political parties, including Golkar, the political machine of
\nformer president Soeharto, competed to assure voters that they
\nwould not let abusers of human rights, robbers of state coffers
\nand law manipulators walk free with impunity.<\/p>\n
Five years have passed and yet what parties or who among the
\npoliticians dare to say that they have delivered what they had
\npromised?<\/p>\n
It is confusing to say the least, now, to determine what, if
\nanything, has improved since then. Of the voters who said 'No' to
\nSoeharto five years ago, many will likely have to swallow their
\nwords and vote for his former party or parties linked to him. A
\nkind of good-old-days mentality persists.<\/p>\n
Despite the gloomy picture, the nation must move forward
\ntoward the creation of a strong civil society. This year's
\nelections offer another chance for the nation to return to the
\nright track. Naturally, this year's elections lack the voter
\nenthusiasm of 1999 because at that time they were still in a
\nstate of euphoria after the liberation from Soeharto's 32 year-
\nrule.<\/p>\n
For 22 days starting on Thursday, people throughout the
\ncountry will experience election fever once again. At the very
\nleast they will have to be more patient during this legislative
\nelection campaign because they will soon find themselves trapped
\nin traffic jams. Cars and motorcycle convoys with blaring horns
\nwill be common sight when supporters of the 24 parties contesting
\nthe legislative election will parade through the streets on their
\nway to the campaign venues and back to their home bases.<\/p>\n
Four days after the last day of the campaign period about 125
\nmillion voters will vote for members of the House of
\nRepresentatives (DPR), the Provincial Legislature (DPRD I), the
\nRegency\/Municipality Legislature (DPRD II), and the Regional
\nRepresentatives Council (DPD). Within several days we will know
\nthe winner of the elections although it will need a few weeks to
\nget the final results.<\/p>\n
This year will be historic in the country's journey on the
\nroad to real democracy. After the legislative election, the
\ncountry will hold its first direct presidential election on July
\n5. If no candidate achieves a simple majority there will be a
\nrunoff on Sept. 20. In October the country will have a new
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
Again, people will have high expectations from the new
\npresident. After directly electing their chosen candidates,
\nvoters understandably hope that the elected leaders will have a
\nstronger mandate from the people and therefore will bring better
\nresults for the country.<\/p>\n
At least for the moment, we will have to face the traffic jams
\nand noisy campaigns. Hopefully everything will run smoothly.<\/p>",
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