Jakarta, November 27, 2024 – The Europe Today: President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka cast their votes on Wednesday in Indonesia’s simultaneous regional head elections, marking a key moment in the nation’s democratic process. The elections, held across 37 provinces, 93 cities, and 415 districts, aim to elect governors, mayors, and district heads for the next term.
President Subianto arrived at a polling station in Babakan Madang, Bogor District, West Java, at 8:41 a.m. local time, where he was among 600 registered voters. After voting, the President urged elected leaders to prioritize serving the people.
“In every election, there are those who win and those who lose. Cooperation is a must. Those who win must be a leader for all, and those who lose must cooperate,” Subianto stated, emphasizing the importance of unity and collaboration for the nation.
Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, accompanied by his wife, Selvi Ananda, voted at a polling station in Banjarsari, Solo City, Central Java, at 10:25 a.m. Gibran expressed gratitude to election officers and commended their efforts to ensure the elections ran smoothly.
“Thank you to the General Elections Commission (KPU), the General Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu), and the polling station officers for their hard work,” Gibran said. He emphasized the importance of peaceful electoral processes, highlighting that political differences should not lead to personal animosities.
“Differences make our democracy more mature. They make our democracy colorful,” he remarked, encouraging voters to remain calm while waiting for the official results.
Both leaders underscored the significance of a fair and transparent election process. The government declared November 27 a national holiday to maximize voter turnout. Votes will be tabulated by regional KPU offices until mid-December.
The elected governors and deputy governors will be sworn in on February 7, while mayors, vice mayors, district heads, and deputy district heads will take office on February 10. The simultaneous regional elections serve as a testament to Indonesia’s commitment to upholding democratic principles and fostering political inclusivity.
