Essay Writing Competititon

Essay Writing Competititon

First Indonesian Presidential Election by The People

by Juanet Khairunnisa

On 20 September 2004, Indonesian people do the first presidential election. Previously the presidential election is selected by People’s Consultative Assembly. People’s Consultative Assembly in the past consisted of member paliameny, representatives of the Group, and the Regional Representative. This is first Indonesian presidential election by the people. This was the second ballot for the presidential elections, due on the first ballot on July 5 with no candidate is elected. According to Law No.23 of 2003 on the Election of the President, to be elected, a candidatate must obtain at least 50 percents of the valid votes and get at least 20 percent of the vote in a third of the provinces in Indonesia in the first round . If no candidate meets these requirement, then held a second round of elections, where the candidate with the most votes would became president.

          In he first round of he presidential election of 2004, there five candidates contesting. They are Wiranto, Megawati, Amien Rais, Sulsilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and Hamzah Haz. Of the five candidates,  Megawati Soekaro Putri and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono made it into the second round of presidential elections. Megawati Soekaro Putri and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono gained 26.6 percent earn 33.6 percent of the valid votes. In the second round, Megawati paired with Hasyim as a candidate for vice president, Meanwhile Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono paired with Djusuf Kala .
          The presidential election was held two rounds, because there are no candidates who managed to get more than 50%. Megawati Soekarno Putri received support from major parties like the Indonesian Democratic Party-Struggle leads, Golkar, the United Development Party, the Prosperous Peace Party and smaller parties more. Meanwhile Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono received the full support of the Democratic Party that nominated and the Properous Justice Party as well as everal other parties. Winner of Presidential Election 2004 is Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
          Change of power took place smoothy and the history of Indonesia who have never experienced a change of power of riot. The only flaw in this power shift is not the presence of Megawati Soekarno Putri at the inauguration ceremony of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as president. News is that so far the electoral operations run safely and without any significant problems.
          The surplus of the this Presidential Election

1.     The President has the advantage of a strong legitimacy.

2.     The system more accountable.

3.     Check and Balance legislative – executive balanced.

4.     Criteria for Presidential candidates can be assessed directly by voters.

The drawback of the this Presidential Election

1.     The system gives opportunity Presidential candidates must be of a large party and with substantial funds.

2.     The People’s Consultative Assembly is no longer authorized to elect a president.

3.     The President is not accountable to the People’s Consultative Assembly.

That’s all an information about a First Indonesian Presidential Election by The People in my country.I  hope the next election can be better than before. That’s all from me. Wassalammualaikum.