PDI Perjuangan celebrates win

SURABAYA: Hundreds of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) supporters rode their motorbikes in a deafening street rally on Tuesday to celebrate the party's victory in the elections for local legislature seats.

By Tuesday afternoon, PDI Perjuangan assured itself of 22 out of 45 seats in the city council after winning 706,058 votes in its election debut.

The National Awakening Party was a distant second with seven seats after collecting 204,845 votes, ahead of the National mandate Party which tallied 142,681 votes for four seats.

With the Indonesian Military securing four seats, eight more are still up for grabs.

The PDI Perjuangan supporters waved to bystanders, raising two fingers for a victory sign. The motorcade proceeded without adversely affecting traffic.

A party to celebrate the convincing victory will be held on Saturday.

The secular party's victory was a surprise because it managed to win votes in areas supposed to be the strongholds of Islamic parties, such as in Sidoresmo and Semampir districts. (nur)