Indonesians in Romania, Moldova Cast Their Votes on Sunday Amid Cold Weather

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Hundreds of Indonesian nationals in Romania and Moldova braved the cold weather to cast their votes in Bucharest, Romania on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024. Elections for Indonesian citizens in both countries were held at the Overseas Polling Station (TPSLN) 001 Bucharest.

This voting was carried out simultaneously with 35 other TPSLNs such as in Ankara, Istanbul, Athens, London, Madrid, and other cities. Apart from direct voting at TPSLN, Indonesians abroad also cast their votes via postal services.

Postal elections have been carried out since Jan. 2, 2024, and the deadline for receiving returned ballot papers by the Postal Overseas Voting Organizing Group (KPPSLN) is tomorrow, Feb. 14. 

Head of PPLN at Bucharest, Wahyu Diarto, said that 183 citizens had exercised their voting rights at TPSLN 001, specifically at the Indonesian Embassy in Bucharest. Meanwhile, the number of ballots received via postal election was 91 votes.

Indonesian citizens in Romania and Moldova expressed their joy for being able to cast their votes while abroad, with some rented buses just to reach the polling station in Bucharest. The 2024 elections are also said to be a gathering event for diasporas living in Romania.

Overseas elections are indeed held earlier than in Indonesia, from Feb. 5-14, 2024. However, the counting will be carried out simultaneously on Feb. 14 and the recapitulation of all ballot papers will be carried out via TPSLN and post on Feb. 15. 

Meanwhile in Indonesia, the election will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 14. The three running pairs of the presidential election are Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar, Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka and Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud Md. 

NABIILA AZZAHRA

Editor's Choice: Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry Claims Overseas Voting Proceeding Smoothly

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News