Indonesia's elections

Indonesia is the world's third largest democracy, and yesterday some 140 million people went to the polls in the country's first direct presidential election. Since the ousting of President Soeharto six years ago, Indonesia has known little but turbulence: The welcome independence of East Timor, political instability in Jakarta, the collapse of the economy during the Asian economic crisis and the rebellions against central authority that have racked Aceh and the Moluccas islands, as well as rising religious extremism culminating in the Bali bombs. Few observers expected that an election spread across 15,000 islands and three time zones would even be possible: violence, chaos, corruption and boycotts seemed all too likely. Instead, Indonesia has held an election that seems generally to have been orderly and well planned, with responsible, enthusiastic voter participation.

It is too early to say that the election was without any violence; yesterday soldiers clashed with separatist rebels trying to disrupt the poll in Aceh, killing one of them. And there may be attempts in some provinces to stuff ballot boxes or delay results. But on the whole, this election says much about the maturity of the voters, the nation's weariness with violence and the compatibility of democracy with moderate Islam. -- The Times, London