JEDDAH: Indonesian diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia have started making arrangements for Indonesian expatriates to vote in the country’s parliamentary elections next month.
“Ensure that each eligible voter participates in the national elections on April 9,” Indonesian Consul General Gatot Abdullah Mansyur told a community meeting at his residence on Friday.
“You must take part in voting in an orderly manner. It is our common responsibility and mission to demonstrate to the international community that our country is maturing into a healthy democracy,” he said, emphasizing that voting should be conducted without any untoward incident.
He also called on those with links to political parties or their supporters to strictly adhere to local rules and regulations while conducting campaigns.
A committee has been formed to make arrangements for voting in Jeddah. The polling stations include the consulate, the consul general’s residence, and the Indonesian school. The Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh is also making similar arrangements.
The number of registered Indonesian voters in Makkah province is more than 76,000. Indonesian communities living outside Jeddah can cast their ballots through the post and are required to inform the committee of their address five days before the polling day, said Mansyur.
This year, 44 political parties are fielding candidates for the 560-seat Parliament in polls that will have a huge bearing on presidential elections in July, he added. The parties need 25 percent of the popular vote or 20 percent of seats in the House of Representatives to be able to nominate their own presidential candidates.
