PRESIDENT CALLS ON PEOPLE TO USE THEIR VOTING RIGHT

Jakarta, July 7 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called on the people here on Tuesday to use their right in the presidential election on Wednesday.

"Use your right to vote with responsibility and full awareness to determine the future of the nation and state that we all love. Take your time to come to polling centers in the place where you live," he said in his speech at the State Palace in connection with the election on Wednesday.

He said general elections belonged to the people. "It is the people who have the sovereignty. It is the people's voice that will be heard including by presidential and vice presidential candidates as well as other political elites," he said.

The head of state said presidential and vice presidential candidates had already been given time and room to conduct campaigns fairly and so now was the time for the people to determine their choice freely without intimidation or pressure.

"Once again exercise your right well," he said.

On the occasion, President Yudhoyono thanked the people for their participation in the legislative elections last April 2009 so that the elections could run peacefully, orderly and smoothly.

"I really hope that the achievement that made us proud could be repeated again in the current presidential elections," he said.

President Yudhoyono would seek reelection with Boediono, the former central bank governor, as his running mate. He would compete against incumbent vice president Jusuf Kalla who would pair up with Wiranto, the former army commnder, and former president Megawati Soekarnoputri who pairs up with Prabowo Subianto who is also a former army general.