It's Legislative Election Day here in Indonesia!
You know that there are two parties, right? The Democrats and the Republicans. Here in good old Indonesia, there are more than 30 parties, categorized by trees, paddies, bulls, religion and occupation. We have the businessman's party, the laborer's party, the patriotic people's party (infamous for its hooligan-ish cadres and members), democratic, socialist, people's conscience, people's movement, people's awareness, people's faith and whatnot's parties.
I don't know if having 30+ parties is better than having just one party to choose from: the ruling president's party, like back in the times of Soeharto's dictatorial regime.
The Facts:
- Voting can cast a person his life. .
- The voting sheet is usually bigger than the voting booth.
- The voting sheets prepared are less than the number of citizens of voting age.
- Having less voting sheets than citizens isn't that bad since there are more non-voters than voters in the entire country.
- Since it's Easter tomorrow, you probably want to cross out all Christian ballots (nearly ten percent of the population).
- The biggest revenue from the elections goes to the press and campaign material printing companies.
- You can sell your vote to the highest bidder.
- You can be underage, fictitious, dead or otherwise ineligible to cast ballots.
- Indonesia is a good example to a country that is not ready for absolute democracy.
- The Public Opinion states: "Whatever results this election is going to come out with, whether or not you've voted, you're screwed either ways. It's not like anything is going to change for your behalf anyways".
Still want absolute democracy?
UPDATE ON RESULTS: Indonesia President's Party Leads Vote, Eyes Coalition
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6 afterthinkers:
hey hning, it's almost the same here in mindanao with some variations...maybe you should read my older blog posts entitled "diary of a poll reporter."
Where do I find that on your blog?
1) Google: Site coralbead.blogspot.com: Diary of a poll reporter
2) Click on the first post.
3) Read all entries.
4) Come back here to yell: YOU COULD TOLD ME WHERE IT IS!!!
But thanks for that. Oh, and look! you had your finger inked too! That's cute!
hehe, but recently i heard that non-voting is haraam ... lol.
so, screwed anyhow ....yes!!
what baffles me about the indonesian elections is that there are no true leftist parties available for vote.
i am aware that this has historical reasons.
still, there must be in indonesia, as in almost any other country, at least some people who would prefer politics a tiny bit more on the left side.
these people are certainly screwed ... .
At least it is much better than what just happened in Algeria where the incumbant president just got 92.24 % of the vote, can you believe that 92.24 percent how ridiculous can we get. Fake democrsy at it's best.
Leyla, if not voting is haram, where do you think leftism rules? Is there a "very haram" ruling? *grin*
Off the record, Leyla, what do you think about having our own a socialist or communist party started? So that we don't go to hell for not voting, you know? *Hning tries not to LOL in Muslim-conservative rural Java*
Anon, Did the other 7.76% go to jail for not voting for the president? That would have set the classic punch line to the average dictatorial regime.
Despite of bitter-irony, your comment reminded me of the love-hate relationship between governments and citizens. Ever seen AeonFlux? There's a powerful line said when the coup d'etat was subdued - and I'm paraphrasing here: "Anything but anarchy."
Thanks for dropping by the blog post. Look at what we all do for the cause of DEMOCRAZY!!!
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