'I hope I don't vote for the wrong party'

'I hope I don't vote for the wrong party'

Although registration problems loomed large on polling day,
millions of Indonesians went to their polling stations on Monday.
April 5 was an historic day when the people cast their votes
directly for over 7,000 candidates for the legislative bodies at
the national, provincial and regental/municipal levels. The
Jakarta Post talked to some residents on how they had prepared
themselves for the big day.

Solihin, 45, is a taxi driver who lives in Ciputat, South
Jakarta. His hometown is Tegal, Central Java:

I'm not going back to my hometown for the elections although
many of my neighbors in Ciputat are going back to their
respective hometowns to cast their votes there. Instead, I will
vote here in Ciputat.

In the last election, I voted for the Indonesian Democratic
Party of Struggle (PDI-P). But they have disappointed me, so this
time I will vote for either the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) or
the Democratic Party.

This time I want to use my right to vote properly, although I
won't get any money for what I do.

Binsar, 36, works as a technician in an electronics factory.
He lives with his wife in Bogor:

I've been waiting for this for the last few months as casting
my vote is the only thing I can do that will make a difference to
this country, hopefully for the better.

I have prepared myself. I have even downloaded the manual on
how to fold the ballot papers from the internet. I chose the
party and DPD candidates whom I think will work only in the
interests of the people. I hope I didn't vote for the wrong
party.

Pudji, 35, is a trader at the Tanah Abang traditional market
in Central Jakarta. He lives in Serpong subdistrict, Tangerang:

I'm happy that I was able to exercise my right to vote as many
of my neighbors were not able to vote today, even though they
wanted to, as they weren't registered.

I voted for a different party than the last time as I'm
disappointed with the performance of my choice back then. The
politicians were good only at making promises, but they forgot to
fulfill them after they got into power.

I hope the party I vote for will win as I believe that the
majority of their leaders are credible people.

But the most important thing is, whoever wins, there must be
no violence as it would only cause problems for the ordinary
people like me.

Siti Rohayati, 73, is a live-in domestic helper for a family
living in Rawa Bunga, Jatinegara, East Jakarta. She has been
living there for a year:

This time, the elections are really a pain in the neck. I am
confused with the large number of parties and persons whom I have
to select. Compared to past elections, the procedure in these
elections is too complicated.

For me, participating in the elections is nothing more than an
obligation. I am afraid that if I do not take part, I could be in
trouble. I will vote for the parties I am familiar with in these
elections.

--The Jakarta Post