Millions vote in Indonesia regional polls amidst COVID-19 concerns

People in Indonesia are heading to the polls to cast their ballots in regional elections, despite warnings the vote could worsen the nation's COVID-19 crisis.

More than 100 million people are eligible to vote on Wednesday, with nearly 300,000 polling stations set up in 24 districts and 37 cities.

The election was originally scheduled for September but it was delayed due to the country’s struggle to contain soaring infection rates. However, the authorities ignored calls from health experts to postpone the vote again due to the possibility of new clusters emerging.

 “Of course we are all worried during this pandemic, but as a good citizen of this country I want to participate in this election,” said a resident.

"Health is my priority for sure, but voting is also an important part of our life in a democratic country," said another resident.

Wednesday’s vote comes as over 580,000 Indonesians have been infected with COVID-19 while the death toll stands at 18,000.

Volunteers handed out gloves and checked voters’ temperatures at polling stations. Staff dressed in hazmat suits were tasked with taking ballot boxes into hospitals so COVID-19 patients could also vote.

An Indonesian election official said staff would ensure that health protocols were followed, with voters encouraged to wear masks and election workers given personal protective equipment.

"All polling stations were disinfected," said Suprianto, head of a polling station committee in Jakarta's Ciputat district.

"We made spaces as wide as possible to allow for social distancing. Voters were also required to wear masks. If you don't, then you won't be allowed in the polling station”.

However, Indonesia’s election supervisory agency has said health protocols were violated more than 2,000 times during the campaign period.

Data from independent data initiative Lapor COVID-19 showed that more than 76 candidates in the election had contracted COVID-19, while at least four had died so far.

Hermawan Saputra at the Indonesian Public Health Experts' Association warned that infections could skyrocket above one million after polling day.

"The most worrying thing is that it won't be just young, healthy people casting their votes, but also the elderly, pregnant women and sick people -- they're all at high risk," he said.

Hundreds of hopefuls -- including President Joko Widodo's eldest son -- are vying for 270 positions, including regional governors, district heads and mayors.

Official results are not expected for several weeks.

Indonesia's economy — Southeast Asia's biggest — has been hit hard by the pandemic, and the government has rolled out aid programs such as food packages to help those in need.

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