|
|
|
Map of Southeast Asia |
Email this citationCIAO DATE: 08/04
Indonesia Backgrounder: A Guide to the 2004 Elections
December 18, 2003
Abstract
Indonesia faces at least two and probably three national elections in 2004, including a presidential vote, but they are unlikely to bring fundamental change. Citizens are increasingly disillusioned with the half-decade of democracy and "money politics" they have experienced since the collapse of Soeharto's authoritarian New Order.
The first election, on 5 April 2004, will fill almost 16,000 seats in legislatures at the national, provincial and district levels. The second, on 5 July 2004, will be its first direct presidential vote ever. If, as is almost certain, no candidate meets the criteria for election in the first round, a run-off between the top two vote-getters will take place on 20 September. The process needs to be completed before President Megawati Soekarnoputri's term expires on 20 October.
