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Indonesian students volunteer at polling stations in China
Indonesian students travel long distances to volunteer at polling stations in China for the 2024 general election.
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Members of the indigenous Baduy tribe check the candidate list at a polling station on Feb. 14, 2024, before they cast their votes in Indonesia's presidential and legislative elections, in Kanekes Village, Lebak, Banten province. Voting began on Feb. 14 in Indonesia's presidential, national and provincial elections at more than 800,000 polling stations across the country, with nearly 205 million people eligible to vote. (AFP/Aditya Aji )
The 2024 presidential election has posed various challenges for the Overseas Election Committee (PPLN) in China, especially in Hong Kong and Macau. The committee reportedly had to overcome difficulties in securing permits, accommodating voters and covering incurred costs.
In Beijing, the Indonesian Embassy took advantage of the Chinese New Year holiday to hold the election on Feb. 14 because most Indonesian nationals in the country are taking extended holidays that began on Feb. 10. Voting in Beijing took place at two polling stations located within the embassy compound.
Idham Holik, a commissioner of the General Elections Commission (KPU), shared that he previously faced difficulties in obtaining a permit from China’s Foreign Ministry.
The issue prevented the establishment of polling stations outside the Indonesian Consulate General in Hong Kong and Macau, as China did not recommend holding the election there on Feb. 13 when the country was still celebrating the Lunar New Year.
Another headwind the team faced was the travel burden and cost for the PPLN staff. Yasinta Nida Arroyan, a volunteer at the PPLN in Beijing, said she had to travel long distances and pay for her own transportation and accommodation to perform her duties.
The 23-year-old student at Chongqing University said that she came to Beijing on Feb. 3, and would return to Chongqing around Feb. 20.
"I wanted to join the PPLN to get a new experience because I might not be abroad in the next election. I might have returned to Indonesia by then," Yasinta said on Feb. 3 as quoted by Antara.
