PRESIDENT HOPES POLL NOT TO DIVIDE NATION

Bogor, July 7 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said he hoped the presidential election on Wednesday would not lead to divisions in the community.

"The presidential election and other 2009 electoral activities are held for the good of the nation and country for the next five years. I seriously hope that we preserve our unity, brotherhood and personal relations," he said before around 5,000 people attending a prayer service at his private residence.

President Yudhoyono said it was not impossible for family members or fellow employees to have different choices.

"It is their right to choose whoever they like. Let us respect it. Let us spread love. Do not cut personal relations. Whatever God will decide later, we hope it will enable us to have a better future," he said.

On the occasion, Yudhoyono who is seeking reelection asked his audience to pray for the country so that it would continue to thrive and grow to become an advanced, respected and prosperous country.

He also asked them to pray for a smooth, peaceful, democratic and orderly election without slander or curses being made on anyone.

"If tomorrow morning you receive text messages telling you slanderous things, do not easily believe them. Just record them and send them to me. We will pray so that the senders will repent," he said.

He also asked his listeners to pray so that the election losers would accept their loss, respect the winner and not cut the existing relations.

"Pray, so that no chaos will occur. Security has been maintained for the past five years. The country has become more secure, there is more justice and properity. Prevent violence and chaos that may be created just because of disappointment about the results of the election that did not meet expectations."
Yudhoyono also asked the prayer service participants to pray so that his bid for the presidency along with Boediono would be successful.

He is to compete with former president Megawati Soekarnoputri and incumbent vice president Jusuf Kalla in the election.

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