Thousands of Indonesian expats in Qatar vote in general election
NT Bureau
Doha: Thousands of Indonesian expats working Qatar voted in their country’s 2024 General Election on Friday, community sources said.
There were around 7,325 registered voters in Qatar and the Overseas Election Committee in Doha established two polling stations – at Qatar Sports Center in Doha and Al Dhahkira Sports Club in Al Khor. Voting took place from 8am to 9pm.
Votes were cast in two categories and involved two sets of ballots — one for electing the president and vice president and the second for choosing members of parliament, the sources said.
The Indonesian diaspora in Qatar currently stands at 22,000 and people aged 17 and above are eligible to vote in the election.
Community sources said that extensive social media campaigns, and awareness campaigns and outreach programmes contributed to the huge turnout.
Though the official voting day in Indonesia is February 14, the voting in Qatar was held on Friday as it is a holiday and more people can vote.
The voting was conducted manually, and counting will be held on February 14, along with the counting of the votes worldwide and in Indonesia,
People between 17 and over are eligible to vote in the Southeast Asian nation.
Thousands of Indonesian citizens residing in Qatar participated in the 2024 Indonesia General Election, yesterday, February 9, ahead of the scheduled voting day in Indonesia on February 14.
The election aims 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 established two polling precincts: Qatar Sports Center in Doha and Al Dhahkira Sports Club in Al Khor.
Pri Handoko Saputro, a member of the committee, told The Peninsula that there was a high voter turnout due to extensive social media campaigns, community engagement efforts, 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.
