During the 1999 elections more than 40 parties competed. Under former President Soeharto only three parties were allowed to exist. Golkar was the government party and the PPP and PDI were the two legal opposition parties. To make sure that no one else established a political party Soeharto imposed a ban on establishing new political parties. Only candidates that were approved by Soeharto could either run for Golkar, PPP or PDI.
Golkar, being the only government party was always sure of it's victory. Government officials and military personal were forced to vote for Golkar and so were many people in Indonesia's cities and villages.

Here the opening day of the elections in 1999 at Merdeka Square, Jakarta. Schoolgirls carry the flags with the names and logo's of the contesting parties.

Photograph © 2003 Andrew Kaufman.