Highlights: Elections in Indonesia: legislative candidates try to find a place for themselves. More than 200 million Indonesians will vote on Wednesday February 14 to elect their president, but also their representatives in Parliament, the regional council and the legislative councils. “More than 95% of the time, people tell me “I haven’t thought about the legislative elections ” I don't come here just to say political things,” says Marsha Siagian, 29, candidate for the Indonesian national legislative elections.

Elections in Indonesia: legislative candidates try to find a place for themselves

More than 200 million Indonesians will vote on Wednesday February 14 to elect their president, but also their representatives in Parliament, the regional council and the legislative councils. Often overshadowed by the “big” presidential candidates, certain legislative candidates try to raise citizens’ awareness of their democratic role.

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Supporters take part in the final campaign rally of Ganjar Pranowo, presidential candidate of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), and his running mate Mahfud MD, in Semarang, Indonesia, February 10, 2024. © Willy Kurniawan / Reuters

By: RFI Follow

With our correspondent in Jakarta,

Juliette Pietraszewski

Faced with her potential constituents, red jacket decorated with political slogans, Marsha Siagian, 29, candidate for the

Indonesian

national legislative elections , tries to explain the role of deputies. “

More than 95% of the time, people tell me “I haven’t thought

about the legislative elections
”. I don't come here just to say political things. In some of the quizzes I do, I ask the question

: "Does anyone know what the function of members of the legislature in Indonesia is?" It takes them a while to respond. We need more efforts from members of the legislative power

,” explains the candidate.

For this woman who came to the candidate's meeting, this kind of discussion allows her to see things more clearly. “

I want to get to know the candidates better for the national legislative elections, but also for the local legislative elections in Jakarta

,” she hopes. But these comments are not shared by everyone, according to candidate Marsha Siagian. "

Sometimes people come up to me and say 'sorry, I'm not coming because I've already made my choice for

president
.' And I tell them: 'listen, you have four paper ballots to submit in Jakarta

,'” says Marsha Siagian.

In certain neighborhoods, however, the presidential campaign is taking over. “

It’s important to build something better. I want it to be the Ganjar candidate who wins!

», says a lady. And if Marsha Siagan and her party support Prabowo, another presidential candidate, the young legislative candidate assures her: voting education is the priority.

Elections in Indonesia: legislative candidates try to find a place for themselves

Elections in Indonesia: legislative candidates try to find a place for themselves

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