The presidential, parliamentary and regional elections in Indonesia took place on April 17, 2019. According to some estimates nearly 153 million out of 193 million total voters cast their ballots in the elections. The counting of the votes is still underway. The 270 election workers have been died so far in as the result of work overload and fatigue-related illness. The election workers are counting the ballots by hand and they are working long hours. Nearly 2,000 workers have fallen ill.
The General Elections Commission (KPU) has confirmed the deaths and illness of election workers hired to monitor and conduct the elections and then counting the votes. Most of the people died because they were not healthy enough to take up the hard job. As per report, some seven million people were helping count and monitor the 17 April vote. They were expected to work through the night in sweltering conditions, which took a hefty physical toll on many.
It was the first time that presidential elections were held at the same time with national and regional parliamentary elections in a country of 260 million people and 193 million voters. Every voter cast three votes one each for presidential, national and regional parliamentary elections. Around 80 percent voters cast their ballots at 8, 00,000 (0.8 million) polling stations.
The General Elections Commission (KPU) of Indonesia has decided to compensate surviving families 36 million rupiah (£1,930; $2,500) for every deceased worker – roughly equivalent to one year’s pay at minimum wage, according to the Nikkei Asian Review.
Both President Joko Widodo and opposition presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto have declared victory, though quick counts suggested Mr Widodo won the election by around 9-10 percentage points.
The KPU will finish vote counting and announce winners of the presidential and parliamentary elections on 22 May.
