(7 Jun 1999) Eng/Indonesian
Indonesians got their first real taste of democracy for 44 years on Monday as voters cast the first ballots in elections for a new parliament.
It was another major step away from authoritarian rule that ended when riots forced former President Suharto to resign in May 1998 after 32 years in power.
During his rule, voters could only choose between three state authorised parties.
But this election campaign, 48 parties appeared on the ballot paper.
The elections are a massive logistical exercise, with 91 per cent of the 130 million eligible voters registered in the world's fourth most-populous nation.
Torrential rain did appear to hamper the early turnout at polling stations across Jakarta.
But despite wet weather in the capital and other areas, a big turnout was expected.
Early voters at the capital's polling stations appeared a little uncertain of the political future of the country.
SOUNDBITE: (Indonesian)
"My feeling about the election is so-so. Deep inside my heart I have a little hope that this general election will be fair and honest."
SUPER CAPTION: Vox pop
SOUNDBITE: (Indonesian)
"Yes, I think there's still hope"
SUPER CAPTION: Vox pop
Indonesia's former authoritarian President Suharto was one of the first to arrive at a polling station close to his house in Menteng, central Jakarta.
He took a seat to watch while another voter cast a ballot and had his thumb dipped in indelible ink - a measure designed to prevent multiple voting.
At another polling station close by, President B-J Habibie, Suharto's former protege and leader of the Golkar Party, was the ninth person in line at a polling station in a park about
100 metres (yards) from his house.
His wife, Hasri Ainun, cast her vote after her husband.
The night before the vote, Habibie appeared on national television to urge Indonesians to use their votes in Monday's historic general election to restore democracy and confidence in the nation.
In the run-up to Monday's vote, resentment against the ruling Golkar Party, has been strong.
In the last election, Golkar got 70 per cent of the vote.
Up for grabs are 462 of the Indonesian Parliament's 500 seats.
The rest go to appointees of the powerful military, which is not allowed to vote.
The vast majority of Indonesians have never voted in a truly free election.
The first and last open ballot was in 1955 after the country became independent.
The ones that followed were largely rigged to ensure government candidates won.
Hundreds of foreign monitors, including former U-S President Jimmy Carter, are observing the election, helping hundreds of thousands of Indonesian volunteers.
Carter said a fair election and acceptance of the results would be a breakthrough for Indonesia and its battered economy.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I don't think there's any doubt that it will bring an end to violence, to ethnic disturbances. I don't think there's any doubt that the people of the nation for the first time in the lives of most of them, will have a chance to choose their own leaders. I think it'll open up the door almost immediate economic improvement, where foreign investors will be willing to come in, the World Bank will be generous with its loans and grants."
SUPER CAPTION: Former US President Jimmy Carter
Voting is also taking place on the Hindu island of Bali.
There's been little interest from holiday makers though - and the election certainly doesn't seem to have deterred them from holidaying at this time.
Locals are turning out to vote, but some have voiced scepticism over the ballot.
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