Police prepare for direct elections<\/p>\n
Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Semarang<\/p>\n
Over 500 senior police officers from across the archipelago are
\nattending a four-day workshop in Semarang, Central Java, as the
\nfirst ever elections for heads of regional governments draws
\nnear.<\/p>\n
The officers -- from provincial police chiefs down to regental
\npolice chiefs -- are attending the workshop to listen to lectures
\nby officials on the subject of the direct elections. They will
\nalso be briefed by experts on "best practices" in securing the
\nelections.<\/p>\n
Among the high ranking officials slated to give speeches
\nduring the function are the Coordinating Minister for Political,
\nLegal and Security Affairs Widodo A.S, Minister of Home Affairs
\nM. Ma'ruf, and chairman of the General Elections Commission (KPU)
\nNazaruddin Syamsuddin.<\/p>\n
The workshop, held at a police academy in Semarang, is being
\nattended by 30 provincial police chiefs, 33 regional chiefs, 435
\nregental and municipal chiefs, and 25 heads of State Police
\nSchools.<\/p>\n
"The function is aimed at providing information to chiefs of
\npolice units on the subject of direct elections and the best
\npractices to secure them," said chief of National Police Gen.
\nDa'i Bachtiar.<\/p>\n
Officers were also given an evaluation of police performance
\nin safeguarding the 2004 general elections and the subsequent
\npresidential elections.<\/p>\n
After the Semarang function, the central government will
\nconduct a similar workshop in Jakarta that will be attended by
\nall provincial police chiefs, provincial governors, and the
\nMinister of Home Affairs, said Da'i.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Insp. Gen. Didi Widayadi, the deputy chief of
\noperations of the Indonesian Police, said that direct elections
\nof heads of regional governments would take place in 226
\nprovinces, regencies and municipalities across the nation this
\nyear.<\/p>\n
"The busiest month this year will be in June, when 181 direct
\nelections will take place, eight of them being for provincial
\ngovernors," he said.<\/p>\n
Didi said that the police will focus attention on elections
\nbeing held in regions prone to conflict, such as Ambon, Papua and
\nPoso.<\/p>\n
Unlike in the past, citizens will now be able to vote directly
\nfor their preferred candidates for provincial governor, regent
\nand\/or mayor.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/police-prepare-for-direct-elections-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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