Tens of millions of voters from Papua to Padang flocked to polling stations on Wednesday to elect governors, mayors and regents. It was the first time Indonesia hosted simultaneous regional elections and it appears to have been a great success.

Neither physical disability nor geographic remoteness deterred voters determined to participate in the elections, referred to as a “festival of democracy”. Many polling stations were beautifully decorated and polling officials donned traditional costumes, with traditional performances in front of some polling stations.

More than 1,500 candidates ran for election. Simultaneous elections were held to elect eight governors, 34 mayors and 222 regents. The election process ran smoothly and passed off peacefully as the government declared Wednesday a public holiday.

There were also around 130 foreign election observers from 30 countries to monitor the election and the counting.

 The police and military deployed thousands of personnel to secure the elections and there were no reports of any major incidents.

And the winner is…: A polling official records election results as votes are counted at a polling station in Alam Sutera, North Serpong, South Tangerang, on Wednesday.(JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)

Exercising voting rights: Two voters wearing traditional clothing leave a polling station after exercising their democratic right in Dukwia village, Keerom, Papua, on Wednesday.(JP/Nethy Dharma Somba)

Voting time: A blind man places his ballot in a box at a polling station in Kuta, Bali, on Wednesday. Millions of Indonesians voted on Wednesday to elect regional heads in various provinces.(JP/Zul Trio Anggono)

Tens of millions of voters from Papua to Padang flocked to polling stations on Wednesday to elect governors, mayors and regents. It was the first time Indonesia hosted simultaneous regional elections and it appears to have been a great success.

Neither physical disability nor geographic remoteness deterred voters determined to participate in the elections, referred to as a '€œfestival of democracy'€. Many polling stations were beautifully decorated and polling officials donned traditional costumes, with traditional performances in front of some polling stations.

More than 1,500 candidates ran for election. Simultaneous elections were held to elect eight governors, 34 mayors and 222 regents. The election process ran smoothly and passed off peacefully as the government declared Wednesday a public holiday.

There were also around 130 foreign election observers from 30 countries to monitor the election and the counting.

 The police and military deployed thousands of personnel to secure the elections and there were no reports of any major incidents.