by Hayati Nupus
JAKARTA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- In the lively atmosphere of Indonesia's general election, thousands of urbanites traveled a special journey: not merely to return home to celebrate the holiday, but also to exercise their right to vote.
Budiarto Pawirodiharjo, a 34-year-old laboratory worker, took an eight-hour train at night from Jakarta to Yogyakarta to cast his ballot for the presidential candidate of his choice, in an election to be held on Wednesday.
This time, going home means more to him than just getting together with loved ones. It is a chance to actively contribute to shaping his country's future.
"This is my civic duty and commitment," Budiarto told Xinhua on Monday.
Budiarto also noted a wider phenomenon in Indonesia, where elections have become both a political process and a significant occasion that revitalizes family values and unity.
"For many people, going home during the election is a rare opportunity to meet family, exchange stories, and of course, ensure our votes are counted," he added.
Jaya Wijaya, a 32-year-old private worker in Jakarta, is in a similar situation. It is a problem he encounters every election season, just like most people whose workplaces are far from their hometowns. This time, Jaya decided to travel back to his homeland Pematang Siantar in North Sumatra.
Last Wednesday at 5 p.m. local time, he left his boarding house in Jakarta and arrived at his home at 2 a.m. the following day after a long and exhausting journey.
"This is about our nation's future, not about me or my family. Every vote counts greatly," Jaya said.
The election season also offers a chance to renew cultural and social bonds. After the vote, Jaya and his friends in Pematang Siantar will continue to hang out and enjoy the local cuisine and sites that bring back childhood memories till he heads back to the capital.
In the meantime, 36-year-old Ndari Sudjianto has freed up her calendar for the voting day despite her hectic itinerary of touring several East Javan cities to guarantee that election broadcasts adhere to legal requirements and that every citizen's wishes concerning broadcasting are met. During the election season, her workload as a field coordinator for the East Java branch of the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission expands.
On Tuesday afternoon, she drove 300 km back and forth to her hometown of Kediri with her spouse after arriving in Surabaya from outside the city. After voting the next day, she will head back to Surabaya to continue her duties.
"Elections are not just about who wins or loses, but about the active participation of citizens in determining the future direction of the nation and our lives," said Ndari.
To support migrants who want to exercise their right to vote, the Indonesian government and several institutions have offered a range of services, including relocating polling places to cities or supplying additional public transport so that all citizens, no matter where they are, can take part in the elections.
Going home during elections is more than just a physical journey for Budiarto, Jaya and Ndari, and thousands of other citizens. They take with them not only fond memories of family and friends, but also the satisfaction that comes from having carried out one of the most important citizen duties when they return to their jobs and daily lives. ■
