“Many owners closed their shops. Not like during the first round election day [in February],” Slamet Riyanto, a security guard at the Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua building, told The Jakarta Post.

Wednesday was Jakarta gubernatorial runoff election polling day, during which some 7.2 million residents of Jakarta were eligible to vote. Incumbent pair Basuki Tjahaja Purnama-Djarot Saiful Hidayat competed against Anies Baswedan-Sandiaga Uno after they won through to the second round. 

Slamet said business started at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, two hours later than usual.

Jenny, 35, a seller of kebaya, traditional Indonesian attire, opened her shop on Wednesday. She said she decided to open her business after she was informed by her neighbors that the market was quite busy in February.

“My neighbors said the market was crowded during the previous election day. Therefore, I decided to open the shop,” she said.

She said she did not see any impact of the election on her business.

Flori Lao, 57, a resident of Manado and religious activist, said she visited the market because she wanted to see the election situation in Jakarta. “The situation is completely safe. It is not as bad as I had thought,” she said

Flori said she flew to Jakarta on Tuesday to see the situation and to pray for the capital city. (ecn/bbn)

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