General Election in Voting Place Zero Forty-Seven, A Brief Reportage

Two days ago, on Wednesday, April 17th, 2019, Indonesia has done General Election to choose the New President and Vice President; and legislative members. 

I lived in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, and I am one of the voters in Voting Place Zero Forty-Seven (TPS 047). It was located on Jalan Suwandi, Samarinda. I'd like to report about some points that were important based on the voting process there.

I came at ten past seven in the morning. There were only a few people, around four till five people who were the Indonesia citizens that had the right to vote. The names of the Indonesia citizens who had the right to vote were showed in the permanent voter lists (DPT) which were placed on the boards in the front of the entry gate.

The lists were put on the right board. On the left board, there were samples of ballots (surat suara). There were five samples that the Indonesia citizens had to vote.

1. The first was for the President and Vice President of Indonesia. The colour of the ballot was grey.

2. 
   

   The second was for the House of Representative of Indonesia Republic (DPR RI). The colour of the ballot was yellow.

3. The third was for the Regional Representative Council of the Republic of Indonesia (DPD RI). The colour of the ballot was red.

4. The fourth was for the Provincial Regional Representative Council (DPRD Provinsi). The colour of the ballot was blue.

5. The fifth was for the Regency / City Regional Representative Council (DPRD Kabupaten/Kota). The colour of the ballot was green.

Situation in Voting Place

I saw, there were only a few people, around four till five people came earlier to give their votes. It seemed that the situation in voting place was conducive and safe. There were around two securities that I saw. Unfortunately, I did not stay quite long there, because I went home directly after voting. So I didn't know the condition of voting place after that. But I thought the situation was under control.

Enthusiasm

I thought that the Indonesia citizens that had the right to vote in Voting Place Zero Forty-Seven were not quite enthusiastic to vote. If they were, there would be a crowd of people in the early morning to vote. The reality was different. Only a few, four till five people, and they said to me because they had many things to do after voting, like : going to the airport because she had to fly to Surabaya; had to work, so he had to vote as soon as possible; or the person didn't like to queue and wait too long, so he decided to vote earlier.

Preparation Process

I thought, the Committee had already prepared well based on the procedures, and it will be better next time in the next general election if the committee decides who takes in charge for every part, so it will be faster than nowadays.

The Committee checked the ballots and witnesses were present to witness - personal documentation

The Committee checked the ballot box and witnesses were present to watch - personal documentation

Obstacles

I thought there was no obstacle when I voted. I didn't know what happened after I left. But, I believed, the committee could handle the obstacles that it faced.

Difference in procedure

That was the object of chatting before voting. Why? Because the Voting places near Zero Forty-Seven started the voting at seven o'clock or ten past seven or more. Not delay until one hour. One woman who complained about the delay of voting in Zero Forty-Seven said that.

I didn't know exactly whether the information from the woman was right or wrong, but I knew in Voting Place Zero Twenty-Four, they started voting at ten past seven. How did I know? Because I came to that place first to check my name in the list, but unfortunately, my name was in the list of Zero Forty-Seven.

So, there was no strict time to start. Maybe, the regulation of time was flexible, based on the condition of every area.

Other events that occur on location

Like I said before, I went home right away after voting, around a quarter past eight, so I didn't know whether there were other events that occured on location. But I didn't hear or read the news about bad things that happened there, so I believed everything was under control.

Evaluation for the better implementation of general election in the future

I thought, the general election was quite good and safe this time. Of course, the perfection could not be reached. There is no ivory that is not cracked. There are still homeworks for General Election Commissions (KPU) to improve its performance in the future.

Right now, we have to wait for the result of real count patiently. 

Whoever wins, we hope the chosen president will do the best for Indonesia.

God bless Indonesia.

May Indonesia remain prosperous

*

Samarinda, April 19th, 2019

Anton