Democracy on display in Jakarta’s biggest train station

Australia is celebrating democracy in Indonesia by hosting a six day photography exhibition titled ‘Local Elections on Camera’ at Gambir Station, Jakarta, from Saturday 30 June.

The exhibition will display photographs of local elections submitted through a competition organised by the Australian Government aid program (AusAID) and Indonesia’s Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI).

“Well-run elections are essential to any democracy. As the world’s third largest democracy Indonesia hosts well over 200 local elections every year,” said Mat Kimberley, acting head of AusAID in Indonesia.

“This photography exhibition highlights Indonesia’s vibrant electoral process. Australia is proud to support Indonesia’s efforts to maintain high voter participation,” said Mr. Kimberley.

Competition winners will be announced tomorrow at the Gambir Station exhibition opening, with winners selected by well-known photojournalists: Oscar Motulah, Director of Photography at ANTARA newswire, Arbain Rambey, former photo editor and senior photographer at Kompas newspaper, and Rully Kusuma, former Chief Photographer at Majalah Tempo.

“Voter participation is essential to any democracy. With this in mind, we encourage Jakartans to cast their vote for the People’s Choice category in the voting booth available at Gambir Station,” added Mr. Kimberley.

The People’s Choice winner will be announced online in the second week of July through the Australian Embassy’s Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/australianembassyjakarta and through AJI’s website www.ajiindonesia.org.

Since 1999, Australia has supported local elections and three national elections in Indonesia. Australia works with the Indonesian National Election Commission (KPU) and civil society organisations to strengthen the management of elections and maintain public engagement in the electoral process.

Australia is currently funding a five-year $20 million program of electoral support from 2011-2015.

Media inquiries:
Rendy Djauhari, Public Affairs, AusAID Indonesia, 08111904823