Sustainable Democratic Education: Analyzing Democratization and Disruption During Indonesian Election of 1955

This first election gave adequate opportunity for every Indonesian to directly choose their candidate for parliament and constituents (the body charged with law formulation). Based on conditions of a large voter turnout and fierce party rivalry, the 1955 election was judged democratic.

Notwithstanding the success of the General Election of 1955, local and national technical problems including the kidnapping of government officials and election organizers from Sulawesi, Central Java, and Yogyakarta surfaced. Security disturbances must also be addressed when election organizers gather voter information, disseminate election logistics, and perform their responsibilities as election campaign committees—which are prone to disturbance among political party adherents.