Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Jakarta (Agenzia Fides) - The second ballot in Indonesia’s first free presidential elections took place in an orderly manner today 20 September, only 11 days since the terrorist bomb blast which destroyed the Australian embassy in Jakarta. There were no episodes of violence to disturb the vote and 80% of the eligible voters went to the polls. Extensive security measures were taken to prevent incidents and attacks and tens of thousands of police were on patrol at polling stations all over the country.
Indonesia, with a population of 210 million, is the world’s fourth most populous country and the first for the number of Muslims, about 85% of the population. Around 150 million eligible voters live on the 17,000 islands which make up the archipelago.
According to exit-polls outgoing president Megawati Sukarnoputri will be defeated by her adversary former General Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, said to be leading with 62.5% of the votes. However the counting of the votes will continue until 26 September and the official results are expected to be announced on 5 October. Yudhoyono, former minister of security in Megawati’s government won the first ballot in July promising to use an iron fist against terrorism and to boost the economy.
Indonesia is a key country in South East Asia from the political and economic point of view. In recent years, since it was freed from Gen. Suharto’s dictatorship in 1998, it has seen secessionist ferments in various parts of the archipelago. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 20/9/2004 lines 22 words 281)
