Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) leader, KH Said Aqil Siroj, stated that he was thankful for the peaceful Indonesian parliamentary and presidential elections on April 17, unlike several other countries where elections were hit by tragedies. "We are thankful that Indonesia has succeeded in holding its parliamentary and presidential elections peacefully," he said at a gathering which highlighted ideas of nationhood, in Jakarta Monday.

The peaceful electoral process was also evidence of the Indonesian people's ability to be a part of a mature democracy, he said while adding that in several other countries such processes were beset with tragedies.

"In other countries, people are killed during elections, but in Indonesia, our culture during such a process is better than that of others. This also proves that Islam and democracy do not contradict each another," Siroj asserted.

Considering this fact, Indonesia could become an example for other countries, he claimed.

Despite the peaceful convening of the general elections, the Prabowo Subianto-Sandiaga Uno camp had complained of errors in ballot entries that have put this duo at a disadvantage.

In response, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has urged the General Elections Commission (KPU), Elections Supervisory Body (Bawaslu), and Election Organization Ethics Council (DKPP) to maintain their impartiality and professionalism.

"Fairness and justice are crucial for the next phases of these parliamentary and presidential elections," Head of MUI's Advisory Council Din Syamsudin told a press conference following a meeting in Jakarta last Friday.

The council's executive board and advisory council members met to discuss Indonesia's political dynamics in the post-election scenario.

The attendees at the meeting agreed on seven recommendations for the three election bodies so that the general election would be held in accordance with the mandate of the State's Constitution, Din Syamsudin stated.


Translator: Anom P, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Eliswan Azly
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