Soeharto's family to gather to vote

Soeharto's family to gather to vote

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto will get together with his
family Thursday before voting at a polling station near his
residence on Jl. Cendana, along with about 300 other residents of
Menteng, Central Jakarta.

Jakarta Governor Surjadi Soedirdja, in his capacity as the
chairman of the provincial election committee, visited Soeharto
yesterday to deliver a notification asking him to vote.

Surjadi was accompanied by Central Jakarta Mayor Abdul Kahfi,
Menteng subdistrict head Wahab Ismail and a subdistrict election
organizer, Zulmy Hayati Tando.

Soeharto's children, including the newlywed Hutomo Mandala
Putra and his bride Ardhia Pramesti Regita Cahyani
Soerjosoebandoro, are all registered as voters at the
presidential residence.

Surjadi said after the meeting that the President had
expressed hope that the general election would proceed smoothly.

"This election is expected to proceed smoothly, safely and
orderly," Soeharto was quoted as saying.

About 124 million people are registered to vote at 305,219
polling stations across the country. Preliminary results from
counting in the 27 provinces will be broadcasted by state
television station TVRI from 7 p.m. on election day. Updates will
be broadcasted hourly.

All available communication links will be mobilized to provide
speedy and accurate updating of ballot counting.

In 1992, provisional results for 95 percent of votes were
announced at 2 p.m the day after the poll.

The elections, dubbed a "fiesta of democracy", is held on a
working day and civil servants are required to vote near their
offices.

The United Development Party (PPP), the ruling Golkar, and the
Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) are contesting the general
election. At stake are 425 seats in the 500-seat House of
Representatives; the remaining 75 seats will be occupied by the
Armed Forces whose members do not vote.

All eligible voters are expected to receive notifications
telling them to vote Thursday. They must present the
notifications at polling stations.

Surjadi also gave notifications to Vice President Try Sutrisno
and his family at Try's residence on Jl. Diponegoro. (06)

Pijar members -- Page 2