REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SINGAPURA - High turnout was reported in presidential elections among Indonesians living abroad. They started to cast their votes on Sunday in their host countries.

The turnout in presidential elections was reported 70 percent or higher compared to general elections in April this year. 

In Singapore, about 22,262 eligible voters came to Indonesian Embassy to cast their votes on Sunday. Many stood by at the location since 06.00 am although the embassy's gates opened at 08.00 am.

General Election Commission (KPU) in Singapore also received 17,094 ballots by mail. The number is predicted to increase on July 7, 2014. Overseas Election Committee (PPLN) in Singapore facilitated voters with 36 polling booths with a total of 144 voting booths.

KPU Commissioner Ferry Kurniansyah said that the voting process in Singapore ran well. PPLN Singapore used barcodes to speed up the registration process and ensure data security. Ballots will be stored at Indonesian Embassy office in Singapore with CCTV cameras and police surveillance. Incoming ballots by mail will be counted on July 12, 2014.

Vienna's PPLN confirmed that there were 725 Indonesian voters living in Austria and Slovenia was 725 voters. Indonesian Embassy in Paris recorded 837 citizens casted their votes at polling stations. Head of Paris's PPLN, Armayanti Chattot said that the participation of Indonesian citizens in Paris increased 18 percent compared to legislative election this year. 

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