The results of the April 9 legislative election reflect the changing loyalties of Bali's politicians as well as a significant shift in the local political landscape, observers said.

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), long known as the most powerful and popular political force in the island province, still garnered the most votes in the election but suffered a significant decrease in popularity.

PDI-P secured 40.94 percent of the total votes, ten percent less than in the 2004 legislative election.

Political observer from the National Education University (Undiknas), Nyoman Subanda said the drop had been predicted by political pundits long before voting day. The main reason for the decrease was the changing loyalty of scores of local politicians.

"Many politicians, who previously ran under the PDI-P banner, switched sides and joined new political parties," he said.

"Consequently, they also took with them their supporters and financial resources."

The most high profile case of this political "defection" involved Kari Subali, an influential figure with a large number of followers in Karangasem regency and Gde Winasa, a shrewd politician from the popular Jembrana regency.

Kari left PDI-P for the Marhaenism Indonesia National Party (PNI Marhaenisme) while Winasa jumped ship to the Democratic Party (PD).

Another observer, former chairman of the Bali General Elections Commission (KPUD) AA Oka Wisnumurti, pointed out that major parties, including Golkar and PDI-P, have relied too heavily on their traditional supporters who have strong emotional ties with the parties.

"They forgot to target the swelling population of first-time voters and young educated voters in urban communities," he said.

A noted thinker, Putu Suasta confirmed Wisnumurti's statement.

Suasta said one psychological card the PDI-P has always used to reinforce its bond with traditional supporters is the fact that the party's chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri, has Balinese origins.

Another card is the political oppression suffered by the party during the New Order regime.

"Unfortunately, first time voters this year were only 6 or 7-years-old when the New Order regime collapsed," he said.

"They have no recollection of that oppressive regime, nor do they have extensive knowledge about Soekarno, let alone the genealogical details of his family."

These voters were more interested in the current leadership of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the dynamic images presented by the PD; the clean and energetic aura exuded by the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and the courageously nationalistic tone of the Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party.

"Unless the major parties immediately focus their attention to these young voters, it is likely their achievements in the future election will worsen," Wisnumurti warned.

The results will also change the political dynamic at the Bali Provincial Legislative Council.

PDI-P won 24 seats, a decrease of six seats, Golkar 12 seats, a drop of two seats, PD gained 11 seats, an increase of eight seats, while Gerindra earned two seats.

Six minor parties have one seat each in the provincial council.

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