Bali hosts five regional elections

People in Denpasar, Badung, Tabanan, Bangli and Karangasem thronged to polling stations across the tourist island Tuesday to cast their ballots in a simultaneous poll to elect new regional heads.

Sporting Balinese traditional clothing, eligible voters in Denpasar turned up for the direct mayoral election.

The Bali governor declared the polling day a holiday to allow for huge voter turnout.

This year’s regional elections coincided with the first day of the national examinations for elementary school students. Therefore, teachers and test supervisors were obliged to perform their duties before exercising their right to vote.

“We have recommended that all related government institutions focus on the final exam, rather than the regional elections,” head of Bali Education Agency I Wayan Suasta said Tuesday.

Suasta said the school exams, which would take place from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., would not hamper the polls, which would go on from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m.