Indonesia, the third largest democracy in the world, conducted the general election for the Indonesian Parliament on 9 April 2009. More than 171,068,667 Indonesian citizens are registered as voters in the 2009 General Election, among them 1,509,892 living abroad and exercised their right to vote at 117 diplomatic missions, including in Bulgaria, to elect members of parliament (MPs) from 44 political parties (38 contested in nationally, and 6 local political parties contested specifically on the Province of Aceh).

On that day, Indonesian citizen in Bulgaria cast their votes on the election site (Tempat Pemungutan Suara/TPS) at the Embassy in Sofia. 26 voters out of 39 registered voters in Bulgaria voted directly at the TPS, while 11 votes will be given through mail, and 2 cast their vote in Indonesia. The election is opened by the Chairman of the General Election Organizing Group (Kelompok Penyelenggara Pemungutan Suara Luar Negeri /KPPSLN), Mr. Rachmat Pudjiyono at 09.00 AM. Ambassador Immanuel Robert Inkiriwang and Mrs. Fely Rose Inkiriwang, as well as the voters were present that morning and cast their votes.

After the votes given had been counted, the result of the day is as follows:

1.    Democratic Party (Partai Demokrat)                                                                           : 6 votes

2.    Functional Party (Partai Golongan Karya)                                                                   : 3 votes

3.    Prosperous Justice Party (Partai Keadilan Sejahtera)                                                 : 3 votes

4.    Concern for the Nation Functional Party (Partai Karya Peduli Bangsa)                     : 3 votes

5.    Great Indonesian Movement Party (Partai Gerakan Indonesia Raya)                       : 2 votes

6.    People’s Concscience Party (Partai Hati Nurani Rakyat)                                           : 1 vote

7.    Indonesia Justice and Unity Party (Partai Keadilan dan Persatuan Indonesia)          : 1 vote

8.    National Mandate Party (Partai Amanat Nasional)                                                      : 1 vote

9.    National Awakening Party (Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa)                                            : 1 vote

10.  Indonesian Democratic Vanguard Party (Partai Penegak Demokrasi Indonesia)    : 1 vote

11.  United Development Party (Partai Persatuan Pembangunan)                                  : 1 vote

12.  Prosperous Peace Party (Partai Damai Sejahtera)                                                   : 1 vote

13.  Indonesian Democratic Party-Struggle (Partai Demokrasi Indonesia Perjuangan)   : 1 vote

14.  Freedom Party (Partai Merdeka)                                                                                : 1 vote

The votes above also included votes which were given directly to the MP candidates as follows:

1.    Dr. Nova Rianti Yusuf (Partai Demokrat)                                     : 3 votes      

2.    Mrs. Halida Nuriah Hatta (Partai Gerakan Indonesia Raya)       : 2 votes

3.    Hadi Yusdiarto S.H., M.H. ((Partai Karya Peduli Bangsa)           : 2 votes

4.    Drs. Marangin Silalahi (Partai Demokrat)                                     : 1 vote

5.    Hajjah Zahrina Nurbaiti (Partai Keadilan Sejahtera)                     : 1 vote

6.    Ir. H. Adinoto (Partai Keadilan dan Persatuan Indonesia)           : 1 vote

7.    Randi Lapian (Partai Damai Sejahtera)                                        : 1 vote

8.    Maya Indreswary (Partai Merdeka)                                              : 1 vote

9.    Irdam Ramli (Partai Karya Peduli Bangsa)                                  : 1 vote

10.  Ady Mansyur H, S.Pdi (Partai Persatuan Pembangunan)           : 1 vote

11.  Zainal Abidin N.Z., S.H. (Partai Hati Nurani Rakyat)                   : 1 vote

12.  Hajjah Badrah Uyuni (Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa)                     : 1 vote

Until the day of the Parliamentary Election, 10 out of 11 votes sent by mail have been received. The votes sent through the mail will be counted at the latest on 19 April 2009.

Indonesia will also hold the General Election for the president and the vice president this year, scheduled on 8 July 2009.