Abstention mars democracy

Abstention mars democracy

From Koran Tempo

The rising number of people, currently estimated at 34 percent, refusing to exercise their right to vote in the presidential election, or the golput group as they are locally called, is a political phenomenon worthy of note.

While during the New Order some people chose to abstain as they considered the Soeharto regime undemocratic, this year's direct legislative and presidential elections are the most democratic ever.

We hope that the supporters of those tickets that lost in the first round will not decide to abstain or spoil their ballots, though many backing the Amien Rais-Siswono Yudohusodo ticket in North Sumatra have made such a suggestion.

Abstention is a counterproductive political act as it frustrates the effort to educate society's grass roots about democracy. Therefore, let us make a success of the election as the quality of the next government depends on our votes.

However, as long as the number of abstainers stays below 50 percent of the electorate, it will not affect the legitimacy of the election results. So whatever happens, the results will be valid and accepted by the voters.

IFUL SAMEY Bogor, West Java