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