"The elections are not something that must be scary. So, please hold the events well," Yudhoyono said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The convening of this years parliamentary and presidential elections should not terrify the people and must be held in a fair, credible, orderly, and peaceful manner, stated Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

"The elections are not something that must be scary. So, please hold the events well," he told the guests attending the inauguration of PT Semen Tonasas V Plant and the cement companys 2x35 megawatt (MW) power plant in the Pangkajene and Kepulauan District, South Sulawesi Province, on Wednesday.

President Yudhoyono further emphasized that Indonesia had successfully organized the 2004 and 2009 elections, which drew praises and recognition from the world community, which acknowledged the nations political processes.

"Therefore, let us hold the 2014 elections well and shield them from any act of violence," he noted as quoted by the Indonesian Presidents official website.

The head of state remarked that the political environment in the country was heating up, which is quite understandable. However, rivalries among candidates have the potential to disrupt the elections, which are held to meet the obligations of democracy and the state constitution.

On Sunday, two unidentified men shot at a National Democratic Party post, which was set up to support its legislative candidate, Zubir HT, in the Munyee Kunyet Village, Matangkuli Subdistrict, North Aceh District. No one was killed in the shooting incident, but two people inside the building sustained injuries after being beaten by the attackers who were armed with long rifles.

According to Adnan Syahril, a 27-year-old university student who was beaten by the assailants, the attackers had covered their faces with masks while raiding the post at about 4:20 a.m. local time. The police are investigating the shooting incident.

The General Elections Commission (KPU) has decided that 15 political parties in Indonesia are eligible to participate in the elections. Three of them are local parties for the Aceh electorate, while 12 others are national parties.

They comprise the National Democratic Party (Nasdem), National Awakening Party (PKB), the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), the Indonesian Democratic Party Struggle (PDIP), Golkar Party (Golkar), Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra), the Democratic Party (Demokrat), National Mandate Party (PAN), United Development Party (PPP), Peoples Conscience Party (Hanura), Crescent Star Party (PBB), and Indonesian Justice and Unity Party (PKPI).(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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