Jakarta – All of the predictions and results of research said that the Golput figure would increase in the 1997 elections, now it has come true. Prior to this, the results of polling of Indonesian University students and KNPI research in Malang [which indicated large percentages of students would Golput - JB] was completely rejected by the authorities. But this was revealed from the counting of votes entered into the General Elections Body (LPU) up until Friday (30/5) midnight. In the end, the number of votes reached 107,613,616 or around 87.27% of the total votes in the 1997 elections.

In Jakarta the size of Golput was quite surprising. The figure reached 31.08% of 7,453,416 voters. This figure is far greater than that received by the puppet Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) lead by Soerjadi which only obtained 1.94% of the vote or only 99,414 votes. While in Surabaya a similar phenomena was shown. In the heart of the region of Governor Basofi Sudirman which stands furthest forward as an opponent of the Megawati leadership, the Golput figure reached 21.3%. This figure is still far higher compared to the vote obtained by the puppet PDI, that is only 4.7%.

Golput figures were also high in areas known by people as "often disappointed by the New Order". For example Lampung where it reached 30.68% and Irian Jaya as high as 21.79%.

Golput actions in elections this time were carried out by members of society who were aware that their choice would not result in any kind of change, by loudly refusing to go to the polling stations, although they already had C cards. Others voted but by marking all three party symbols and invalidating their own vote. This group is often dubbed "Goltus", that is "The group that marks them all" (Golongan Tusuk Semua). The most extreme are those who Golputed by refusing to be registered as voters although they had the right.

Many groups believe that if it had not been for the cheating which was carried out by Golkar and the government in the election administration, the Golput vote would be far greater. It is well known, based on the reports given to the United Development Party (PPP) monitoring posts and the Independent Election Monitoring Committee (KIPP), that there were many civil servants and Golkar cadre who voted twice. Once at their local polling station then again at their office polling station. "This doesn't yet [include] blank ballot papers with the Golput symbol already marked which were prepared before hand to exchange with invalid and PPP votes", said a student activist which helped at a PPP complaint post.

LPU itself has stated officially that there are 124 million from 200,008,778 million who had the right to vote in the 1997 elections.

[Translated by James Balowski]