President holds prayers service for success of elections

Cikeas, Bogor (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and First Lady Madame Ani Yudhoyono held a special prayer service at the presidential residence in Cikeas, Bogor, here on Wednesday for the success of the legislative elections on Thursday.

"We were determined to make the elections run smoothly and with quality. There are three things we want to achieve namely good implementation, fair and democratic, and smooth and orderly elections," he said in his speech before the prayer service at around 7.30 pm.

The head of state called on attendants to pray for the smooth implementation of the elections.

"Eight months have been used for indoor campaigning and another three weeks for outdoor campaigns. So let us pray so that all other processes could also be smooth and successful," he said.

On the occasion he also called for efforts against directing reports on potentials of frauds including other negative things that would make the situation inconducive ahead of the event.

He also called for maintaining the conducive domestic security situation and avoiding anarchic actions. He advised that all complaints be channeled through the existing and proper mechanisms.

More than 300 people from various circles attended the religious service including the general chairman of the Democrats Party, Hadi Utomo and the party`s executive Anas Urbaningrum.

A total of 38 political parties and six local parties in Aceh would participate in the elections to select members of the House of Representatives (DPR), provincial and district legislative assemblies and the Regional Representatives Council.