Jakarta (AsiaNews / Agencies) - This morning at 7, starting with the eastern province of Papua, voting in Indonesia’s direct presidential election began, the second since 1998, when the regime of dictator Suharto fell. There are approximately 176 million Indonesians registered on the over 500 thousand lists in the country's electoral roll; July 6 last year the Constitutional Court also granted citizens not enrolled in the lists the right to vote, if they are in possession of a valid identity document.
More than 250 thousand policemen and 20 thousand soldiers supervising the smooth running of the poll, to ensure regularity. Security measures have been strengthened especially in the western province of Aceh and Papua, the scene of riots and violence in recent years.
In the contest for Head of State are outgoing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, former president Megawati Sukarnoputri, and the vice-president Jusuf Kalla. Experts in local politics and surveys favour 59 year old Yudhoyono, elected in 2004. In the five years of presidency, he has achieved economic growth of 7%, reduced poverty from 14.2 to 8% and cut the unemployment rate to 5%. Issues such as the secularity of the state - threatened by Islamic extremists – national unity and confessional conflicts are still unresolved. In the past there have been incidents of violence against religious minorities, including Christians.
Yudhoyono is calling on voters to "make the elections a success" and "vote freely, without pressure or intimidation." Megawati is has launched an appeal to fellow citizens to vote because "clearly and honestly."
To be elected on the first ballot, the President must obtain an absolute majority, and at least 20% of the votes in half of the 33 provinces which divide the country. The first results will be available several hours after the close of polling, the counting of the votes will last at least 17 days.
An eventual run-off will be held in September, the new Head of State and his deputy shall be sworn October 20 next year.
