Manipulation suspected in registration of refugees<\/p>\n
KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara (JP): Changes in the results of
\nlast week's registration of East Timorese refugees have aroused
\nsuspicion in Kupang of the possible manipulation of registration
\nresults.<\/p>\n
The refugees chose last week whether to remain in Indonesia or
\nreturn to East Timor.<\/p>\n
The team in charge of the refugee registration said here on
\nTuesday that the regencies registering ever-changing data
\nincluded Kupang, Belu and North Central Timor, while 11 other
\nregencies and towns had already submitted their final tallies.<\/p>\n
Provisional records show that the number of refugees eligible
\nfor the registration rose from 107,588 to 115,983, and the number
\nof those opting to return to East Timor also increased from 1,121
\nto 1,175. The number of refugees choosing to remain in Indonesia,
\nmeanwhile, dropped from 105,450 to 90,458, and the number of
\nabstentions fell from 947 to 635.<\/p>\n
The total number of refugees in East Nusa Tenggara as of
\nTuesday was 53,824 families or 295,744 people, compared to 48,050
\nfamilies or 268,407 people earlier.<\/p>\n
East Nusa Tenggara provincial spokesman Kosapilawan said in
\nKupang on Tuesday that the changing numbers were the result of
\ncalculation errors, not manipulation.<\/p>\n
He said that to ensure accuracy, all registration cards would
\nbe sent to the provincial and central registration committees to
\nbe recounted by computer.<\/p>\n
According to unconfirmed reports, nonrefugee residents in a
\nnumber of regencies took part in the registration process to
\nobtain government aid.<\/p>\n
Many people criticized the registration organizing committee
\nfor extending the registration, scheduled to be completed on
\nWednesday last week, until Friday.<\/p>\n
The chairman of the organizing committee, Amin Rianom, said
\nearlier that he was ready to take responsibility for the results
\nof the registration.<\/p>\n
He said the process was based on international standards and
\nwas monitored by foreign observers. (30)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/manipulation-suspected-in-registration-of-refugees-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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