Japan mission: Poll an improvement

Japan mission: Poll an improvement

JAKARTA: The Japanese government observation mission, which
deployed observers for the presidential election here, said the
first direct election was a significant step toward the
consolidation of democracy in the country.

"As far as the mission could ascertain, the process of voting
and counting at each polling station was conducted peacefully and
smoothly," the mission said in a statement.

It said some possible irregularities of voting standard
procedures were not considered widespread enough to affect the
legitimacy of the process.

The mission was led by Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Yutaka
Iimura and consisted of 40 members. The Japanese government
provided a total of US$23 million to help the government with
election expenses. -- JP