Thursday, April 02, 2009

A New Day to Vote

Presidential elections are scheduled to take place next week on Thursday and Friday. The count will be announced on Easter Sunday. Police have said that this year's election should be much calmer than in previous years as political parties are not allowed to do much more than pass out flyers and hold posters or banners. In years past parades and loud, seemingly inebriated party members would harangue observers for their vote. Voters were often paid for their alligence; the clever voters collecting from several different candidates. But this year, change is expected...

Yesterday I drove by a small rally in Salatiga. While scooting by on my moped, I saw a hand-made poster which read Pilih yang benar. Jangan yang bayar. "Vote for the correct one; not one that pays." The small crowd was chanting as best they could, obviously pushing a particular candidate, but also pushing the idea that a good candidate isn't determined by who pays the most for a vote.

In the midst of my current culture stress, this was a relieving sight. Corruption is no longer the assumed norm for some. There's talk about how a political office is not for sale, and how the holders of such offices are public servants. Human history says that Indonesia still has a couple generations to go for this idea to take root, but progress is being made. Dignity is at least being acknowledged. And for that, I'm proud of this country and her people.

1 Comments:

At 5:52 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

They are saying that, but we've heard of people already ending up with cash in their pockets :( Maybe the candidates/parties that don't have the cash to hand out are chanting? :(

I like the thought tho, and the slogans! Kind of like the cigarette slogan..."Talk Less, Do More"...oh, if only there would be follow through!!

SB :)

 

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