With around 192 million eligible voters in 34 provinces and abroad registered, the elections have made Indonesia the world’s largest democracy with direct election system in every level of governance. There were about 245,000 candidates running for more than 20,000 national and provincial legislative seats throughout the archipelago.

On the election day, the whole country was given a day-off or working time adjustment to let everyone go to vote. People who had cast their votes were entitled for discounts in many restaurants and café nearby. This way people were encouraged to exercise their political rights and to contribute better for the future of the country.

Comprehensibly, people attributed the elections as one of the most complicated single-day polls, but what is striking is how the government systems have done everything to reach every person in the archipelago. There were huge logistical challenges that forced functionaries to even use horses and elephants in transporting the ballots to country’s mountaintop villages and people who live in the jungle.

Unfortunately, it should also be added that some people died while attempting to reach even the most remote areas of the archipelago. There were some minor problems, battle against hoaxes and fake news, suspected fraud, but overall, a safe and smooth election was conducted with a voter turnout of a record 83 percent.

Another impressive fact is that no matter who you are, where you live or what is your religion, what is important is that you have had the opportunity to express your vote. It is not a coincidence that the motto of the great nation is Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, literally Unity in Diversity.

And it is also on the basis of this motto that the elections took place. It has been tried to make sure everyone can express their political views freely and being heard regardless of their creed or political positions. Besides, nowadays it is important to underline that Indonesia has the world’s largest Muslim population that has often shown the world what a real democracy is.

It would be quite complicated to pause in making comparisons between Indonesian elections and the "western" electoral processes. However, there are at least three main points of Indonesian elections that may impress many.

First, it greatly surprised me to see how diplomats from the Indonesian Embassy in Rome did everything they could to include everyone in the electoral process. I have often seen them traveling before the elections, both in all of Italy and in the other places of representation of the Embassy, like Malta and Cyprus, although this meant quite long and tiring journeys. I witnessed the detailed explanations of all the voting procedures and other useful information, which is why I particularly appreciated seeing how, accordingly to the spirit of the diplomat and the consul's job, no one was left behind.

Second, it was almost enthralling to observe how Indonesian voters proudly displayed their finger marked with ink as a symbol of having voted. It was interesting to see how the act of having expressed one's vote was a source of pride. In my opinion, this seems to indicate that Indonesians are not afraid of going to the polls and not afraid of others' judgments. Indeed, it is representative of a population that despite its size is well aware that everyone's opinion is

important. This is also a beautiful teaching of democracy.

Finally, what cannot be unmentioned is the mood in which all the explanations of the procedures have taken place. Indonesians often refer to the electoral moment as Pesta Demokrasi (fiesta of democracy), because we are truly talking about a feast.

People come to the polls smiling and ready to joke, there is no kind of worry or tension. Voters were welcomed with a few snacks to eat or drinks, they spent some time with their neighbors for a little talk. It is not unlikely that they improvise a karaoke. And all this is wonderful. It is amazing because the elections are not seen as a critical moment – as may be the case in the West. Instead it is an opportunity to be all together, have fun, enjoy the moment and the

chance that everyone has.

It is literally a "Party of Democracy", because we should never stop celebrating and thanking the fact that, despite the differences and the various opinions, we are free people and we are given the right to express our ideas.

For this reason, while the elections are coming to an end and we are waiting the official results, scheduled for May 22, I think it is right and proper to thank the Indonesians for indicating us what it really means to "make democracy". Above all, I think the Indonesians, all of them, deserve congratulations for what they have carried out.

***

The writer, who is studying political science at Luiss Guido Carli University in Rome, is an intern at Indonesian Embassy in Rome.

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