A village cast its vote
Algemeen Indisch Dagblad reportage (1955-09-30, p. 2) from the village of Tjoblong-Sekeloa, Bandung, on the 29 September 1955 election: 1,147 voters at a bamboo polling place. A child-minding and first-aid post near the booths is run by a committee of eleven women: one from Muslimat, two from Wanita Demokrat and eight from Gerwani, praised as cross-party mutual aid by women, many illiterate but politically informed.
Reportase Algemeen Indisch Dagblad (30-9-1955, hlm. 2) dari desa Cibolong-Sekeloa, Bandung, tentang pemilu 29 September 1955: 1.147 pemilih di TPS bilik bambu. Pos penitipan anak dan P3K dekat bilik dijalankan panitia sebelas perempuan: satu dari Muslimat, dua dari Wanita Demokrat dan delapan dari Gerwani, dipuji sebagai gotong royong lintas aliran oleh perempuan, banyak yang buta huruf tetapi paham politik.
“A committee 'of eleven women, one from the Muslimaat, two from the Wanita Demokrat and eight from the Gerwani' maintained order among the toddlers (p. 2).”
De Locomotief, 7 Sept 1955: the Gerwani branch in Jombang forms a committee, led by a Mrs Kenrati (uncertain), to set up a children's care centre during the coming general elections so mothers can vote calmly. Evidence of Gerwani's practical electoral support for women and childcare.
shared: 1955 parliamentary election, childcare, election campaign, kindergartens (TK Melati)
Harian Rakjat, 31 Agustus 1955, hlm. 4. Advertisement and notice page with an election comic strip; panel 6 shows Aminah meeting Gerwani activists who organise women's teams for childcare, drinks and medical help at polling.
shared: 1955 parliamentary election, childcare, election campaign
Java-Bode, 8 September 1955, p. 2: news column. The Gerwani branch Djomblang (Jombang) formed a committee to run a child day-care centre during the elections so mothers can vote calmly. Other items concern Surabaya mobilising students as polling-station order helpers and Colonel Simbolon's visit to Sukarno.
shared: 1955 parliamentary election, childcare, kindergartens (TK Melati)
De Locomotief, 1 June 1955: report of a PKI mass meeting in Jakarta where Aidit backs the Ali cabinet and urges peaceful election campaigning. Mrs Umi Sardjono, introduced as a non-party Gerwani member and PKI candidate, says she chose the PKI because it is a choice of being for or against the people. Date: the party's
shared: 1955 parliamentary election, Bandung, West Java, election campaign
Algemeen Indisch Dagblad (1955-05-31, p. 2): PKI election rally at Tegallega, Bandung, with tens of thousands present. Candidates Eddy Abdurrachman and Mrs. Suwarti open, she stressing women's interests; D.N. Aidit criticises post-RTC governments and the Madiun executions of Musso and Sjarifuddin without trial. Archive
shared: 1955 parliamentary election, Bandung, election campaign
De Nieuwsgier report (31 May 1955, p. 2) on a PKI anniversary/election rally in Jakarta where Aidit spoke. Mrs. Oemi Sartono (Umi Sardjono), described as a non-party Gerwani member, said she chose the PKI because it is a choice of being for or against the people; non-party candidate Astrawinata also spoke.
shared: 1955 parliamentary election, Bandung, election campaign
Indische Courant voor Nederland, 14 Sep 1955, p. 1: the Gerwani Jomblang branch sets up a committee to run a children's day-care place during the 1955 elections so mothers can vote in peace. Same item reports Surabaya's plan to use students as order-keepers at polling stations.
shared: 1955 parliamentary election, childcare
Arnhemsche Courant, 27 Sept 1955: preview of Indonesia's first general elections (29 Sept), expecting a communist-Masjumi contest and noting that women have emerged as a political force within existing parties. Gerwani is not named; useful context for the 1955 elections.
shared: 1955 parliamentary election, election campaign