Markus Junianto Sihaloho, Muninggar Sri Saraswati – The candidates spent Tuesday, the final day before their fates are decided, keeping busy, but with very different, and somewhat characteristic, activities.
Megawati Sukarnoputri and Prabowo Subianto
In what seemed to emphasize her sometime reputation as the nation's mother, Megawati opted to show off her cooking prowess at her residence in Kebagusan, South Jakarta, with locals and journalists looking on and sampling the results. Megawati made a family-favorite, soto ayam (clear chicken soup) and iced fruit cocktails. Prabowo arrived too late, however, with the soto already having been slurped down when the doors of the residence were opened to the public. Despite missing out, the former general donned an apron anyway, saying: "Hey, this could be recorded with MURI, as I've never worn one before," referring to the Museum of Records.
Prabowo and Megawati's husband, Taufik Kiemas, later went to the Bantar Gebang dump to open 250 houses they had built for rubbish scavengers there. The candidates had kicked off their candidacy at the same dump, in an apparent effort to boost their populist image.
Today, Megawati and her family plan to vote close to their residence in Kebagusan, where they also voted during April's legislative elections. Prabowo will vote close to his private ranch in Bogor, instead of at polling stations near his private residence in Kemang, where he cast his vote in April.
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Boediono
In keeping with his role as statesman, President Yudhoyono focused on a video conference with all the governors from the country's 33 provinces on Tuesday morning to go over election preparations.
His running mate, Boediono, relished a calm moment after the hectic campaign season to visit his home in Yogyakarta, where he shared a candid moment with reporters, enjoying pecel (vegetables in a peanut sauce) for lunch.
Yudhoyono is scheduled to vote today close to his Cikeas residence, together with the first lady, Kristiani Herrawati, youngest son Edhie Baskoro, daughter-in-law Annisa Larasati Pohan and mother Habibah Soekotjo.
Boediono is expected to vote in the sprawling complex of the state-run Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta. His family will also host a get-together with locals and members of the media to watch the quick counts on television, a campaign aide said.
Jusuf Kalla and Wiranto
Ever the multi-tasking businessman, Vice President Kalla spent most of Tuesday in his campaign headquarters, next to his official vice presidential residence in Menteng, Central Jakarta. He received a number of guests, talked to journalists and hosted a prayer session with a number of Muslim clerics and leaders and members of his campaign team to pray for the smooth and safe running of the election today.
"We have done our best, now the only thing we can do is pray to God to give what is the best for us," he told reporters, expecting the poll to run well and in a fair and transparent manner.
Kalla's wife, Mufidah, their children and children-in-law are expected to vote at a polling station in Menteng.
His running mate, Gen. (ret.) Wiranto, and wife Rugaya Usman, were not seen in public on Tuesday. The couple have plans to vote near their Bambu Apus home in East Jakarta.