Andra Wisnu and Ni Komang Erviani ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Denpasar   |  Fri, 01/23/2009 9:45 AM  |  The Archipelago

Amidst concern that voter turn-out in Bali would reach an all time low as voting day coincides with a major Hindu ritual, the Indonesian Hindu Dharma Association (PHDI) reiterated that the Balinese will turn up.

Head of the Bali PHDI, I Gusti Ngurah Sudiana, said that the Hindu Balinese would never miss voting day because they are as committed to voting as they are committed to their religion.

“Maybe some would make a mistake in voting because they don’t know whether to punch a hole or tick the ballot paper, but there is no way any Hindu Balinese would not vote,” Sudiana said in a telephone interview on Thursday.

Voting day on April 9 coincides with the night of the full moon during the Panca Wali Krama, a Hindu ritual celebrated once every 10 years that begins on March 18 and lasts until April 24.

On the night of the full moon of April 9, the Balinese are expected to travel in droves to Pura Besakih, the largest Hindu temple in Bali, to pay respect to the Gods.

The Bali Provincial Election Commission (KPUD) has raised concerns that the event might reduce voter turn-out in Bali to an all-time low.

However, Sugiana argued that the KPUD should not worry because the Balinese would not abandon voting to celebrate Panca Wali Krama.

“For the night of April 9th, the Hindu Balinese should certainly vote because they know that they still have a month to do the ritual,” he said.

Furthermore, he said the main ritual of Panca Wali Krama would be held on March 25, the day in which he expected adherents to gather in Pura Besakih en masse.

“So if there is a low turn-out on voting day, it simply will not have anything to do with Hindu rituals,” Sugiana said.

Head of Bali KPUD I Ketut Lanang Perbawa said the commission was still concerned about the scheduling clash between voting day and Panca Wali Krama.

He said the KPUD would continue its campaign to get voters to turn up earlier on voting day before leaving to Pura Besakih.

“We’re making sure that we don’t leave any holes unplugged,” he said.

A total of 4,924 legislative candidates from 36 political parties will contest the coming election and up to 30 candidates will vie for seats at the Regional Representative Council.

Bali is home to more than 2 million eligible voters. The election campaign season runs from March 16 to April 5.

In a related development, the KPUD expects regional election commissions in Bali to ask for the Denpasar city administration’s help in supervising voting stations, citing an upsurge in travel during Panca Wali Krama

Ni Komang Erviani ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Denpasar   |  Fri, 01/23/2009 10:08 AM  |  Bali

The Bali provincial administration will be mapping flood-prone  areas on the island in response
to  the recent flood disaster on Jan.11, 2009.

Bali Social Services Agency head Nyoman Puasha Aryana said the mapping, which was scheduled to be finished in the middle of the year, would help the government deliver assistance to flood victims and prevent further flooding.

“We’ll map out areas that are flood-prone and places that are close to hospitals and can be used  as evacuation sites,” Puasha said   during a meeting on disaster response at the governor’s office Thursday. [Read more →]