People told to honor election result

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri called on the people on Sunday to accept the winner of the presidential election.

"Whoever wins will become the legitimate leader and we have to accept and support him or her wholeheartedly," Megawati said in a televised speech on Sunday.

The five candidates are Wiranto, Megawati Soekarnoputri, Amien Rais, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Hamzah Haz. The former security minister Susilo has topped all the credible election surveys.

During the taping of the speech at the State Palace on Sunday, Megawati, a daughter of founding president Sukarno, broke into tears when she appealed to the people to maintain national unity even if their candidates did not get elected.

"Which ever party we belong to ... or background, race or religion, and whomever we elect, we must maintain our national unity," Megawati said.

Some candidates have appealed for support by focusing on traditional similarities and differences, including ethnic and religious groupings, which has raised fears that the elections would heighten racial and religious division in the country.

Megawati emphasized the importance for all the candidates to stay committed to sincerely accepting the results of the election.

Over 150 million people are registered to vote on Monday (today).

Some analysts have stated that it would be difficult for Megawati to get elected as she faces tough competition from her former security minister Susilo and his running mate Jusuf Kalla, who continues to be the odds on favorite by a very wide margin, according to the opinion polls.

The President also reminded people that the world was watching Indonesia and expected a peaceful election.

"If we can vote peacefully, it is possible that our success would serve as a role model for many countries around the globe," she added.

She also reminded the people to use their conscience in electing the president.

"You will elect the leaders who will make the decisions to determine the course of the country ... someone who will decide the people's fate for the next five years," Megawati said.

During the taping of the speech, Megawati used several takes to get the sentence about accepting the winner just right.

An official at the State Palace explained that she said "cut" around five times before she could finally continue with the nine-page speech.

The President also had to wipe her eyes and nose before continuing with the taping.

Presidential Secretary Kemal Munawar, however, said that Megawati was not crying. Kemal said Megawati had been suffering from a cold recently.