A Voice for all:
Capturing the spirit of participation
To celebrate the power of democratic expression and inclusive engagement, The Jakarta Post partnered with PannaFoto Institute to launch a photo competition with the theme “A Voice for All: Capturing the Spirit of Participation”.
The competition is part of the Post’s 40th anniversary campaign, marking a milestone in the newspaper’s history as it enters its fifth decade of reporting, promoting and safeguarding democracy in Indonesia and Southeast Asia.
“A Voice for All: Capturing the Spirit of Participation” aims at capturing compelling, thought-provoking and inspiring moments that showcase the diverse voices, experiences and perspectives of people participating in the democratic process, such as voting, community engagement, social activism and public discourse.
The judging panel decided on the stories that spoke to them the most from among the large number of striking entries. This photo essay will tell the winners’ stories in showcasing Indonesia’s burgeoning democracy through public participation and development.
BLACK AND WHITE OF RI FIESTA OF DEMOCRACY
by Abriansyah Liberto
A blind voter gets prepared to vote at polling station TPS 39 Kampung Tuna Netra on April 17, 2019, in Palembang, South Sumatra.
Police personnel guard the delivery of ballot papers and ballot boxes to Kemarau Island, Palembang, South Sumatra, on April 16, 2019. The decision by the General Elections Commission (KPU) to switch from metal ballot boxes to cardboard ones required more care in distribution, especially to polling stations in coastal areas.
General elections are also known as pesta demokrasi (democracy festivals) and they occur every five years. Millions of people helped prepare for of the much-awaited 2019 general election. Volunteers folded ballot papers and distributed ballot boxes to the polling stations (TPS) across Indonesia.
Workers who fold ballot papers and ballot card boxes for the 2019 general election sleep on the ground on April 15, 2019, at the Sriwijaya Promotion Center in Jakabaring, Palembang, South Sumatra.
A hansip, or local civil defense worker (right), helps a blind voter (center) cast his vote on April 17, 2019, during the 2019 general election at polling station TPS 39 Kampung Tuna Netra in Palembang, South Sumatra.
“We are hoping that any Indonesian leaders chosen in the election can be amanah [honest, responsible and faithful] in fulfilling their promises. Don’t let people be disappointed,” Agus Paslah said while waiting for his turn to cast his ballot at a TPS in Palembang, South Sumatra, in April 2019.
A blind voter waits for his turn to cast his ballot on April 17, 2019, during the 2019 legislative and presidential elections at polling station TPS 39 Kampung Tuna Netra in Palembang, South Sumatra. Accompanied by family members, 52 blind people cast their votes on election day.
Residents complain to elections officials because they did not get ballot papers on April 17, 2019, on Jl. Veteran in Palembang, South Sumatra. Polling stations (TPS) ran out of ballot papers, forcing the South Sumatra General Elections Commission (KPUD) to hold pemilu susulan (sequel elections) on April 27, 2019.
A polling station working committee (KPPS) member (left) takes a blood pressure test on April 24, 2019, during the vote recapitulation process at a meeting hall in Ilir Timur I district in Palembang, South Sumatra. Blood pressures test services were provided for polling station officials to ensure good health during the vote recapitulation process. According to data compiled by the Health Ministry from local health agencies, the number of polling station officials who died reached 527 people while 11,239 others acquired fatigue-related illnesses.
While the Election Day was still far from closing, disappointment appeared on the faces of voters in hundreds of TPS across Palembang because of a ballot paper shortage that prevented them from voting.
A blind voter shows his ink-stained finger on April 17, 2019, after casting his vote in the 2019 legislative and presidential elections at polling station TPS 39 Kampung Tuna Netra in Palembang, South Sumatra.
A General Elections Commission (KPU) official introduces voting procedures to inmates at the Class II A Female Penitentiary on Feb. 12, 2019, in Palembang, South Sumatra. The voting procedures were introduced to prisoners to help them access their right to vote and not become Golput (abstainers).
Rampant paper shortages on election day led to accusations of election fraud, which prompted the General Elections Commission (KPU) to hold pemilu susulan (sequel elections) in many areas across Indonesia.
Members of polling station working committees (KPPS) count ballot papers at Kawasan 10 Ulu on April 17, 2019, in Palembang, South Sumatra. The vote counting process ran into the night.
Members of polling station working committees (KPPS) count votes at Kawasan 10 Ulu, on April 17, 2019, in Palembang, South Sumatra. The vote counting ran into the night because the KPPS officials faced difficulties in counting votes to select legislative candidates for the Palembang Legislative Council (DPRD Palembang), the South Sumatra Legislative Council (DPRD South Sumatra), the House of Representatives (DPR) and the Regional Representatives Council (DPD).
The problems with the 2019 general election did not stop there. According to kompas.com, 894 TPS workers died from fatigue while 5,175 others got sick caused by long hours counting millions of ballots.
Hansip (local civil defense) personnel deliver ballot papers to the Kawasan 9/10 Ulu subdistrict office on April 17, 2019, in Palembang, South Sumatra, after the vote counting process finished on election day.