I see the enthusiasm showcased by the people casting their votes."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Deputy Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, popularly known as Ahok, expressed pride over the orderly implementation of the presidential election by the General Elections Commission (KPU).

"I am very grateful as the implementation of the presidential election took place orderly and safely," Ahok stated here on Thursday.

The acting Jakarta governor expressed gratitude to all those who participated in order to maintain safety during the presidential election.

"Thanks to the security officers, members of Jakartas Regional Legislative Council (DPRD), Ulemas, and the people for creating conducive conditions for the implementation of the presidential election," he affirmed.

With regard to the implementation of the presidential election in Jakarta, the former regent of East Belitung was proud of the enthusiasm shown by the people casting their ballots in order to participate in the democratic process.

"I see the enthusiasm showcased by the people casting their votes. They queued up outside polling stations. Because of the peoples enthusiasm, Jakartas heavy traffic disappeared," he noted.

Earlier, Ahok exercised his right to vote here on Wednesday at the polling station number 65 in Muara Karang, North Jakarta.

Based on Antaras observation, Ahok arrived at the polling station at around 10:05 a.m. local time wearing a white long-sleeved shirt and beige trousers along with his wife, Veronica Tan, who wore a white kebaya.

Arriving at the polling booth, Ahok and his wife directly went to the registration desk and then voted at the polling station.

Before inserting the ballot into the box, Ahok and his wife, Veronica, raised their index fingers to the reporters as a gesture hinting "number one."

"My family and I have definitely chosen number one and nobody else as I am a member of the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra)," he emphasized.

The election is contested by the Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa pair and the Joko Widodo-Jusuf Kalla duo.

According to the General Elections Commission (KPU), a total of 190,307,134 voters have been registered, which includes 2,038,711 overseas voters, with 486,866 polling stations across the archipelago.
(U.A063/Uu.INE/KR-BSR/H-YH)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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