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Indonesian election day in Kuta Bali

The Presidential election is today and many businesses are closed or are opening late.

It’s good to see people taking part however many of the people I’ve talked to say they aren’t going to vote because it doesn’t make any difference.

Cafe Moka is closed all day today and Warung 96 was closed.

The logistics of doing an election in a country of 17,000 islands is amazing. Here’s a BBC article.

Here’s what the Jakarta Post has to say.

I don’t know much about Indonesian politics other than Megawati is ineffective and the military lackeys are just in it for a payoff. I sense that a lot of people don’t expect institutional corruption to decrease whoever wins and just hope the main things like the price of rice, power and petrol can be kept low.

Voting here started a 7am and finishes at 1pm.

There hasn’t been any more advertising or young guys riding around in dump trucks that I’ve seen. Most people that I know would rather watch ‘�ndonesian Idol’ or a cartoon rather than anything about politics so I don’t imagine the parties put much effort into TV campaigning. There has been any sign of violence either which is good. Comparing Indonesian’s situation with American’s I’d say that Indonesian’s probably feel they have less access to power and information and that the people who control the military, business and the country will still control it whoever wins. I know that a lot of people in Bali favour Megawati as ger grandmotrher was from Bali. Where you are from means a lot out here.

My brother Chris who does Londonblog arrives today at 12 noon so I hope I can make his stay a pleasant one. If you are thinking of making a trip to Bali you might browse our hotel booker as it really offers substantial savings when compared to the published hotel prices around the island. Donovan and Carrie got a $70 room for $38 and it only take a few minute to look through and find something that works for you.