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Jakarta Post

A celebration of democracy

Indonesians decided on their next president Wednesday

The Jakarta Post
Thu, July 9, 2009

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A celebration of democracy

Indonesians decided on their next president Wednesday. Many used the public holiday to

travel back to their hometowns to exercise their democratic rights. All three pairs of candidates meanwhile, were put under the spotlight at they cast their votes.

Disputes over the April 9 legislative elections, most notably problems with the electoral role, were put to bed as, at the eleventh hour, the Constitutional Court issued a regulation enabling voters who did not appear on the official electoral role to cast votes using their residential and family IDs.

Logistical issues too dissolved on the election day, which, although some registered voters abstained (known as golput in Indonesia), passed by peacefully.

All in all, the General Elections Commission (KPU) managed to accomplish its mission. Early quick counts by several survey institutes show that incumbent President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and running mate, former Bank Indonesia governor Boediono, will enjoy a landslide victory.

Although the KPU will not announce the official results until next week, celebrations have begun

nationwide.

— The Jakarta Post

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