This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7945535.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Indonesia poll campaigning starts Indonesia poll campaigning starts
(about 2 hours later)
Indonesia has marked the formal start of its election season with a joint rally of political parties in the capital Jakarta.Indonesia has marked the formal start of its election season with a joint rally of political parties in the capital Jakarta.
Thirty-eight national parties are contesting parliamentary elections on 9 April, along with six local parties in the newly-autonomous province of Aceh.Thirty-eight national parties are contesting parliamentary elections on 9 April, along with six local parties in the newly-autonomous province of Aceh.
Presidential elections are due to follow in July.Presidential elections are due to follow in July.
About 171 million Indonesians, across more than 17,000 islands, are eligible to vote in the ballots.About 171 million Indonesians, across more than 17,000 islands, are eligible to vote in the ballots.
The main issues exercising voters are likely to be the economy, employment opportunities and the fight against corruption - especially high-level corruption, which continues to plague Indonesian politics.
Political weightPolitical weight
One by one, party representatives climbed the steps to the podium in Jakarta's cavernous conference arena, to pound out their election slogans to hundreds of flag-waving supporters.One by one, party representatives climbed the steps to the podium in Jakarta's cavernous conference arena, to pound out their election slogans to hundreds of flag-waving supporters.
Monday's meeting marks the start of the formal campaign period, though the country has been papered with political flags and posters for months. I hope the political parties will not insult or violate each other in a way that could disintegrate into anarchy Hafiz Anshary National Election Committee
Incumbent President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who is favorite to win a second five-year term in July, gave a televised address from his palace in the capital.
"We call on the people to participate in the election process peacefully. Let's obey the law and regulations," the president said.
His Democratic Party is facing tough opposition in the April ballot for the 560-seat parliament.
The head of the National Election Committee, Hafiz Anshary, warned party leaders at the rally that failure to control their supporters may lead to violence.
"I hope the political parties will not insult or violate each other in a way that could disintegrate into anarchy," he said.
Hundreds of thousands of police and soldiers have been deployed to ensure security.
Litmus test
Monday's meeting marks the start of the 21-day formal campaign period, though the country has been papered with political flags and posters for months.
Many candidates are linking themselves to various celebrities - from footballer David Beckham to the US President, Barack Obama.Many candidates are linking themselves to various celebrities - from footballer David Beckham to the US President, Barack Obama.
But the parliamentary polls also carry real political weight. But according to the BBC's correspondent in Jakarta, Lucy Williamson, the parliamentary polls also carry real political weight.
Firstly, they will decide which parties get to put forward presidential candidates - a party needs to win 20% of the seats in parliament to do that.Firstly, they will decide which parties get to put forward presidential candidates - a party needs to win 20% of the seats in parliament to do that.
And secondly, they will be a useful litmus test of whether politics here is becoming more Islamic. And secondly, they will be a useful litmus test of whether politics here are becoming more Islamic, our correspondent says.
Secular parties tend to do best in elections here, despite a growing Muslim identity among many Indonesians. Secular parties tend to do best, despite a growing Muslim identity among many Indonesians.
But even secular parties have been under pressure from hardline Muslim groups, and support for at least one Islamic party seems to be growing.But even secular parties have been under pressure from hardline Muslim groups, and support for at least one Islamic party seems to be growing.