Indonesia’s election closes, questions about legitimacy

Early election results reveal Sunday the Democrat Party has won 20 percent of the vote, which means reelection for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Results will be confirmed in two weeks. The world’s largest Muslim population has seen strong economic growth and stability under Yudhoyono’s last term. This is the third election since the fall the Suharto dictatorship in 1998 as democracy takes root. But some questions have arisen about the legitimacy of the votes. According to Indonesian media, tens of thousands of citizens have reported campaign violations, and the Election Supervisory Board has reported 400 official reports. More surprising is the clamp down on two whistle blowers, arrested after reporting cash handouts for votes of Yudhoyono’s son. Western media sources like the Economist applaud a new democracy, but sentiment within begs to differ. Tthe Jakarta Post says, “it seems that we may live in a democracy, but one that is dangerously going to be governed like a police state.”

Indonesia’s gentle general eyes second term, Antara
Indonesia ruling part leads poll, BBC
Indonesia, a democracy teetering towards a police state, Jakarta Post