At least 70 elderly people face being deprived of voting rights

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Mon, 07/06/2009 1:58 PM | City

About 70 elderly persons at a privately run old folks' home might not be able to vote in the presidential election, just as in April's legislative one.

When The Jakarta Post visited the shelter Sunday, some expressed their hope of a better nation.

"I still have faith in this country's future. A big-hearted president is needed to run this country," said Maria Giok, 71, during her spare time in the afternoon at an old folks' home in Jelambar, West Jakarta.

Although she has faith, she will give up her vote due to the absence of a polling station at Wisma Mulia, Yayasan Bina Daya Wanita, which is occupied by 76 people aged between 65 and 92.

"I will not vote," she said, adding no one would accompany her to a nearby polling station.

Frans Nedy, an officer at the home, said most of the shelter's occupants would not vote for various reasons.

"No polling station was available during the legislative elections. I don't think we will have one in the presidential election."

He also said most could no longer travel on their own. They were heavily dependent on the nurses.

"More than 80 percent of the elderly here can't bathe on their own."

Although the home residents could not vote, Frans said, all home officers and nurses would vote at polling stations near their houses.

There are 11 nurses and nine officers running the daily activities in the old folks' home.

A retirement home in Panti Usada Mulia in Cengkareng, West Jakarta, seems luckier than Wisma Mulia.

One of the home officers requesting anonymity said the home residents would have an opportunity to vote Wednesday.

"I saw no problems in the last election," he said, adding several election officers came to the home during the legislative elections.

He said the election officers' services and alternative voting arrangements were needed to allow the more than 80 residents to vote, due to their age and frailty.

"Many have suffered from strokes, and cannot walk properly."

Sugino, one of the elderly residents, said he would vote for the president of his choice. (nia)