According to most quick counts, PSI, which billed itself as a party for millennials and has a strong social media presence, has gained about 2 percent of the vote.

The 2017 General Election Law stipulates that parties must get at least 4 percent of the vote nationally to get into the House.

"We have fought as hard as we could. We will not blame anyone. Our members, PSI executives, our legislative candidates, have worked hard day and night to convince the people," PSI chairman Grace Natalie said in a statement on Wednesday evening. "But this is the people's decision through the mechanism of democracy that we have to accept and respect."

She said the party had no regrets and thanked all those who had contributed money and time to the party's efforts.

"I ask the executives and legislative candidates not to give up and continue to guard our votes," she said. "Even though we have failed to pass the parliamentary threshold at the national level, I am sure that many of you have the chance to get seats in the provincial and municipal-level DPRD [Regional Legislative Councils]. This is political capital that we must maintain."

She said that party would continue to fight for its voters' interests by working together with civil society organizations and the press.

"PSI will once again greet the people. Not in five years' time, but tomorrow!" she said. "We shall return, soon!" (kmt)