KPU insists poll preparations 'running smoothly'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Despite mushrooming complaints from election
\nofficials over the ill-prepared poll, the General Elections
\nCommission (KPU) secretary-general Amur Muchasim insists that
\npreparations were "running smoothly".<\/p>\n
"All elections tool kits consisting of ballot papers, ink,
\nballot pads up to the nails used to punch the ballot papers have
\nbeen distributed to all regencies," Amur said.<\/p>\n
Reports from poll officials across regions said various
\ntechnical disruptions were found only four days ahead of the
\npoll, such as misprinted ballot papers and inferior ink in
\nJakarta, Central and East Java as well as in Kalimantan, Lampung
\nand North Sumatra.<\/p>\n
About 800,000 bottles of ink are needed for the poll.<\/p>\n
The use of ink -- which people dip their fingers into after
\nvoting -- is supposed to prevent multiple voting by remaining on
\nvoters' fingers for at least three days. Multiple voting was
\nwidely reported in the 1997 election. Amur denied reports that
\nthe ink was inferior by saying it had been tested.<\/p>\n
The Commission said 75 percent of the ink would be provided by
\nthe United Nations Development Program, which is giving technical
\nsupport to the elections. Twenty-five percent of the ink needed
\nfor 127.6 million voters is produced by local firms.<\/p>\n
PT Surya Halex denied Wednesday that their ink of the Mirally
\nbrand was inferior. "After the finger is dipped, wait for two to
\nthree minutes to let the ink dry in the air and ultra violet rays
\nto get expected results," the statement signed by director M.A.S.
\nAlex Asmasoebrata said.<\/p>\n
KPU chairman Rudini has cited indications of foul play by
\ncertain parties seeking to foil the poll. He cited tampered
\nballot-printing and cases of fading ink.<\/p>\n
"We are investigating all possibilities here. But KPU will not
\nbe distracted by such hindrances and we will replace all damaged
\npoll materials so we can have the poll on time," Rudini said.<\/p>\n
Separately in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, an election
\nofficial here said they have yet to receive complete poll tool
\nkits due to the discrepancy of the number of polling stations.
\nPoll official Akil said the province needed 5,712 polling
\nstations like in the 1997 poll while the KPU had only allotted
\nsome 4,500 stations.<\/p>\n
The KPU said it had used the latest population figures to
\ndetermine all preparations for this year's poll.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta, the Independent Election Monitoring Committee
\n(KIPP) branch here reported misleading information about voter
\nregistration. The KPU has ruled that in volatile provinces of
\nAceh and Maluku locals were allowed to vote by only showing some
\nidentification without prior registration.<\/p>\n
KIPP Jakarta quoted returning migrant workers being told by
\nEast Jakarta officials that they could come on election day only
\nbringing some identification without prior registration. (edt\/49)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kpu-insists-poll-preparations-running-smoothly-1447893297",
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