Yogyakartans flock to polling stations to choose new mayor
Thousands of Yogyakartans flocked to polling stations Sunday to directly elect their new mayor and deputy mayor for the first time.
A total of 358,044 citizens cast their votes at 887 polling stations in 14 districts. Two pairs of candidates were running for the 2006-2011 term.
Businessman Widharto and his running mate, former deputy Yogyakarta mayor Syukri Fadholi, were endorsed by the Red-and-White Coalition formed by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the United Development Party (PPP) and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS).
They faced former Yogyakarta mayor Herry Zudianto and politician Haryadi Suyuti, who had the support of the Yogya People’s Coalition representing the Golkar Party, the Democrat Party and the National Mandate Party (PAN).
The Yogyakarta election had been postponed twice. It was originally scheduled for July 16, but was put off due to the disastrous May 27 earthquake. It was rescheduled for Aug. 13, but moved again because there was only one pair of candidates.
Sunday’s election process, held until 1 p.m., appeared to run smoothly. There were no charges of foul play from either side.
Dozens of patients at the city’s hospitals and prisoners at Wirogunan penitentiary cast their ballots at special polling stations.
“We hope the smooth process of the election can continue until the next election,” said Nasrullah, a member of the Yogyakarta chapter of the General Elections Commission.
Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, his wife GKR Hemas and his daughter Gray Nurma Gupita went to polling station No. 09 at Magangan Wetan, Penembahan village, in Kraton district at about 10:25 a.m.
Sri Sultan expressed satisfaction over the electoral process, saying Yogyakartans were wise enough to make their own choices. He said city residents took part in the election responsibly, and he praised them for shunning large political demonstrations.
“I hail the maturity of Yogyakartans in participating in the election without rallying large masses of people, which frequently ended up frightening other residents,” Sri Sultan said.
He said he hoped that whoever was elected would reform the city’s bureaucracy. Without changes, he said, the administration would no longer be effective, which would harm residents.
After casting his vote at polling station No. 2 on Jl. Golo in Pandeyan, Umbulharjo, mayoral candidate Herry said despite shortcomings he was satisfied with the election process.
Herry praised Yogyakartans for supporting dialog in the campaign rather than large rallies.
Asked about his chances of winning, Herry declined any comment besides a smile. His opponent, Widharto, however, expressed confidence, saying he and his running mate were winning at the polling stations.