Indonesia Prepares for Presidential Elections

Wednesday is a big day for the Indonesian political scene. The country is gearing up for vote for its next president… and final preparations are now underway.

Indonesian election authorities and village officials are making last-minute preparations for the July 8 presidential election. Election officials are putting up make-shift polling stations, arranging ballot boxes and preparing ballot papers throughout the country.

[Muhammad Azis, Kampung Bali Village Committee Member]:
„This evening we will deliver all the ballot boxes to every polling station and do a final check of all preparations. Most of the polling station tents will be ready this evening.“

Azis says it’s crucial for Indonesians to vote.

[Muhammad Azis, Kampung Bali Village Committee Member, Jakarta]:
„We urge everyone who has the right to vote to come to the polling stations because one vote could change our country’s future.“

The leading presidential candidate, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, is ahead of his rivals and could easily win the election in one round by getting more than 50 percent of the vote. Yudhoyono has promised to continue reforms in the world’s most populous Muslim nation and fight corruption and ensure development.

(NTDTV)