Nigeria praises RI for peaceful polls

JAKARTA: The Federal Government and People of Nigeria congratulated Indonesia for the latter's success in conducting a peaceful presidential election last week.

"We in Nigeria rejoice and share with Indonesia on this momentous occasion. The peaceful conduct of this election in spite of the huge logistics is not only proof but a defining example that developing countries could hold successful elections free of violence," read a statement from the Embassy of Nigeria in Jakarta received by The Jakarta Post on Monday.

It also said that the direct legislative and presidential election, which is the first time to be held in Indonesia, marked a historic milestone in Indonesia's march toward establishing an enduring democracy.

Candidate Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono led 60.89 percent of the votes to incumbent president Megawati Soekarnoputri, who received 39.108 percent as of 2 p.m. on Monday, making him the likely new president to be elected in a democratic way. -- JP