"Cast your votes to elect your leaders, to elect your regional heads, then choose good leaders," Mahfud remarked during a working visit to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as quoted in his statement, on Wednesday.
The minister pointed out that the people's choices made on this Wednesday (Dec 9) will ultimately determine whether a region is good in the next five years.
"Hence, exercise your right to vote optimally," Mahfud noted.
The minister also reminded people casting their ballot to always comply with the COVID-19 health protocols of wearing masks, maintaining distance, and washing hands.
"Things that must be borne in mind are to apply the health protocols. Wear a mask, maintain your distance, wash your hands with soap, and exercise your right to vote optimally by applying health protocols as regulated by the KPU," he stated.
The election results are expected to be known on Wednesday afternoon or Thursday, Dec 10, morning, though the official announcement will be made a few days later, Mahfud MD confirmed.
Indonesia, the world's third-largest democracy after the US and India, will hold regional head elections in 270 regions comprising nine provinces, 37 cities, and 224 districts. The campaign period lasted from September 26 to December 5, 2020.
A total of 734 nominee pairs have registered as candidate pairs for the polls. Based on KPU's data, a total of 100,359,152 Indonesians are eligible to vote in the local elections.
Related news: Vigilance crucial as 270 regions head to polls amid pandemic
Related news: Police deploys 456,141 personnel to secure regional election phases EDITED BY INE
Translator: Syaiful Hakim, Fardah
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2020
