TEMPO.CO, Denpasar, Bali - International observers monitored the election conduct at Polling Station No. 13, operated by an all-woman team, in Jimbaran Village, Badung District, Bali, under the General Elections Commission's (KPU's) Election Visit Programme.

Zahir Hassan, a Malaysian Parliament member who participated in the monitoring group, commended the election conduct observed in Bali. He also highlighted the high participation of women at the polling station.

“I am also convinced that the election conduct proceeded well, smoothly, and transparently because of the presence of the candidates' representatives (as witnesses),” Hassan stated here on Wednesday.

He also admitted to being amazed that Indonesian voters received five different ballot papers to vote for the president-vice president pair and members of the House of Representatives (DPR), Regional Representative Council (DPD), and regional legislatures at the province and city and district levels.

“In comparison, Malaysian voters will receive at most two ballot papers at one election. I think it is huge, and it will be a huge success if (the election is) organized properly,” the observer from Malaysia stated.

House of Representatives (DPR) Secretariat General’s deputy for parliamentary proceedings, Suprihatini, remarked that the observer group comprising 11 representatives from international organizations visited Polling Station No. 13 in Badung.

Meanwhile, the other group of observers in Bali monitored the election conduct at Polling Station No. 29 in Ungasan Village, also in Badung District, and at Polling Station No. 9 in Penglipuran Village, Bangli District.

“In total, 33 observers from 17 countries and international parliamentary organizations (observed the election in Bali),” Suprihatini revealed.

Moreover, Jimbaran village-level election organizing chief I Wayan Muliwan spoken of sensing pride that foreign observers monitored the election conduct in the village.

“The monitoring (allows) them to understand our election system, especially at the polling station operated by an all-women team that emphasized gender equality where men and women are not discriminated by their capability,” Muliwan stated.

Apart from the election conduct, the official also expressed hope that international observers would also spotlight Bali’s natural beauty when they return to their home country.

ANTARA

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