Late last May I was contacted by the Atlanta-based Carter Center and asked if I would be willing to volunteer as a long-term observer (LTO) for the 2004 Presidential election in Indonesia. Their primary interest was in finding someone to work in Bali, where I happen to live. This was the first ever direct presidential election in Indonesia, and I was excited about the prospect of learning more about what makes Bali, and Indonesia, work. Indonesia has adopted a two-stage system for its presidential election. If no candidate wins a clear majority of 50% or more in the first round of balloting, the two top candidates participate in a second-round election. This year the first round was on 4 July. The incumbent, Megawati Sukarnoputri, came in 2nd. Susuli Bambang Yudhoyono, also known as "SBY", a former member of Megawati's cabinet came in first, but with less than 50% of the total votes, so a second ballot was held on 20 September. SBY won in a landslide with at least 60% of the vote - the final official count will be announced on 5 October.

Because I already had made a commitment to go to Africa in June, I wasn't able to join the Carter Center mission until just a few days before the first round of the Presidential Election on July 5. In the end, I ended up making trips to Maluku Utara (the North Moluccas) and Sumbawa too, as well as briefings and meetings in Jakarta. These images are taken on those trips, and in Bali on the election days of 5 July and 20 September.

Observing this election with the Carter Center was a fascinating experience. The LTOs and the short-term observers (STOs) who came in for the actual elections were great, and I met a lot of interesting people here in Bali and other parts of Indonesia.

Please click on the thumbnails below to see larger versions of these images!