Demak. In the face of challenging conditions, thousands of residents from ten villages across 114 polling stations (TPS) in Demak Regency, Central Java, commenced rescheduled elections on Saturday. Despite wading through knee-deep floodwaters, residents displayed unwavering enthusiasm as they gathered to exercise their voting rights at the polling stations.

The General Elections Commission reported that 114 polling stations in Demak, accommodating 27,669 registered voters, took part in the rescheduled polling. This decision was prompted by the flooding that affected various areas in Demak after the Wulan River embankment was breached on Thursday, Feb. 8.

"Residents have started arriving to cast their votes. Praise God, we received assistance with seven pumps promptly deployed to reduce flooding at the polling stations," said Arif Supriyanto, the Chairman of the Polling Committee (PPS) in Wonorejo Village, on Saturday.

The polling stations, which were yet to be connected to the electricity grid, were aided by two small-capacity generators. The PPS has already proposed the addition of a larger generator to support the Polling Station Committees (KPPS) working into the night.

"We've confirmed with the state-owned utility company PLN to add another generator, possibly with a capacity of up to 11,000 watts," he added.

Despite the lingering floodwaters, husband and wife, Alan and Ema, expressed their joy at being able to cast their votes in the 2024 elections, just like other citizens, albeit during the rescheduled polling. They shared their experience of enduring more than two weeks in a shelter as their home was submerged in knee-deep floodwaters.

"Although it's late, we can still exercise our voting rights for the progress of the nation," explained Alan.

KPU said around 220 polling stations across Indonesia will hold rescheduled elections on Saturday after a delay due to force majeure conditions. Voting postponement also occurred in Paniai, Papua, after perpetrators destroyed ballot papers and boxes on the election eve. It has until March, 20 to finish the vote tally of the 2024 elections.

Overall, the presidential and legislative elections were held in more than 820,000 polling stations with more than 204 million registered voters. 

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