Indonesians in Qatar participate in General Election of 2024

Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Doha

On February 9, thousands of Indonesian citizens residing in Qatar actively participated in the 2024 Indonesia General Election, which precedes the official voting day in Indonesia on February 14.

The election's primary objective is to elect the president, vice-president, and members of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), including the House of Representatives (DPR), the Senate (DPD), and local legislative bodies.

With approximately 7,325 registered voters in Qatar, the Overseas Election Committee in Doha organized two polling locations: Qatar Sports Center in Doha and Al Dhahkira Sports Club in Al Khor.

Pri Handoko Saputro, a committee member, mentioned a substantial voter turnout attributed to extensive social media campaigns, community engagement initiatives, and awareness promotions.

The voting process involved two sets of ballots – one for selecting the president and vice president, and another for choosing parliament members. Saputro clarified that the elections were conducted manually, and vote counting is scheduled to commence on February 14, coinciding with the global tally, including Indonesia. The results will be transmitted to Indonesia.

Saputro emphasized the fundamental duty of every Indonesian citizen to vote, underscoring its critical role in the democratic process. Additionally, he explained that the decision to conduct voting earlier in Qatar was to accommodate the majority of voters who have a day off on Friday, unlike the official voting day on February 14, which falls on a Wednesday, a working day. Voting hours were from 8 am to 9 pm.

Comparing to the 2019 voting, Saputro noted a higher number of voters this year. The Indonesian diaspora in Qatar currently comprises around 22,000 individuals. In Indonesia, over 205 million people are eligible to vote on February 14, making it one of the world’s largest election days. Eligibility spans from individuals aged 17 and over in this Southeast Asian nation.

Source: The Peninsula