National Elections, Report and Pictures

[Roy]

In our humble village of Bunutan, where some one thousand eligible voters reside, this mornings voting was calm and festive. You can use the link below, titled Bunutan Votes if you want to see some pictures showing the process, as well as a view of the ballot itself.

In Indonesia, the voting age for those not married is 18. Anyone who is married can vote regardless of his or her age.

We’ll begin voting count at 1PM, and I’ll try to report the results from our village as soon as I can.

The final election results are not expected to be officially announced until October 4. The inauguration of Indonesia’s first populous elected President is scheduled for October 20.

To say the least, it was great fun and impressive to watch history in the making.

Click Here: Bunutan Votes

Link, or URL title: Bunutan Votes

[matsaleh]

Great photos, Roy and waiting with interest for the results.

[Sparky]

It really is so funny to watch both John Kerry and George Bush babble on as the big day looms. :lol: The Americans on the whole are such a gulllible lot, they really are. :? I mean there are not many countries where Bush could pull the wool over the voters eyes and swing the votes back towards him just by pumping them up with the old goody and baddy ideaoligy. The old gun ho speeches and the masses getting carried along in a wave of nationalism shouting and jeering. :oops: Its been that way for as long as Americas historicallygoes back and thats not long is it really. :roll: Yes George looks like he is managing to swing the vote back
in his favour just at the right moment. American troops lose their lives daily fighting a no win War and many many thousands more you dont see come back minus certain body parts all because George had to chase the 'Bad Guy' and finish daddys job properly. Yes you would think the American people would have had enough, but no a bit of Gun Ho here we go and the gulliblemasses have been fooled again. :? I mean if anyone with a bit of backbone had of been challenging Bush then he may of been leaving the Whitehouse, but nope it looks like Georgy boy is going to be free to play Battlestaions for another term. :roll:

Sparky

[dawnofjedi]

Sparky,

If you are going to talk American politics you might as well go to an appropriate forum. Regardless of how sure you are of your own opinion, I am sure there are about 150 million people living in America that would gladly and vehemently refute your opinion...and much more eloquently and convincingly than the rant you decided to drop on the 'Bali' forum. That being said, I will say that I am a firm Kerry supporter. All I am saying here is to please take your colonial attitude elsewhere...it is narrowminded thinking like yours (i.e. I am right and all of them are wrong and ignorant) that is getting us into these problems in the first place...

[Sparky]

Well dawnofjedi what can i say. Actually you are quite right, this is a forum about Bali, people dont want to log in and read about American politics even if it is great words of wisdom by myself. 8)
Anyway New Yorker i was only having a bit of fun and was half expecting
to rattle someone with my opinionaited view,albeit probably true.
Hows Bali today EX-Pats ? Anyone doing anything exciting or going to do something exciting like take a bungee jump or scuba diving ? Well i myself with all my great words of wisdom will be arriving in Bali within the next couple of weeks. I will let everyone know when i am there so if they would like to receive some tuition on empowering thought and enriching your mind to go forth and get the maximum out of life. I charge a reasonable fee and you can have a signed copy of my book which is worth the fee itself. :P

Peace and Prosperity to those that deserve,
Sparky

[mimpimanis]

Hi Roy

Curious if you get to vote?

I have voted before in the elction for Kepala Desa but when my papers arrive for voting in the presidential elections I thought it best that I did not. Being a Brit here on a social budaya visa I am sure I am not entitled to but it made me feel good that village considers me enough a part of it to include me.

Sparky, where in UK are you from? I'm from London.

Mimpi

[Sparky]

Hi Mimpi,
Mimpi im from London as well. 8) Where abouts in the smoke are you from Mimpi........are you a regular visitor to Bali........do you reside in london most the year......are you part of the rat race. ?


Regards Spark

[Roy]

Hi Mimpi!

No, I am not an Indonesian citizen so I can not vote in National elections, but like you, I am a full member of my Banjar. I elect not to participate in any Banjar votes, but I do participate in Banjar activities, especially those designed to raise funds either for our five pura or our school or clinic.

[mimpimanis]

Hi Sparky,

I am not in Bali but next door in Lombok. My husband is Balinese and as we met on Lombok where he was working decided to set up home here. I currently split my time between London & Lombok. I am here for 6 months now, will return in January for another stint of work probably for about 4 months. I have been doing this for the last 7 years (Well the first full year & a half were here) I have to work in London to pay for the building work I have been doing here. I was hoping our businesses would bring enough income for me to stay permanently but till things pick up I still have to go back. When I am in London I stay with my mum in Fulham & I have always lived pretty much west London. (Except for 5 years living in Ireland) Where abouts are you?

Mimpi