Slow disbursement fo fund for poll costs questioned<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the Provincial Elections Committee
\n(PPD I) Djafar Badjeber complained on Sunday about the slow
\ndisbursement of fund allocated for operational costs for the June
\n7 general election in the city.<\/p>\n
Djafar said that it should not be too difficult for the
\nGeneral Elections Commission (KPU) to disburse the fund totaling
\nRp 11 billion soon because it was available at the state budget.<\/p>\n
\"Why should it be delayed, because the poll officials are
\nworking without payment? Some of them have even been forced to
\npay the operational costs, including the management of the vote
\nregistration activities, for the past one week by themselves,\" he
\ntold The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
He said that he would push the KPU to disburse funds on
\nTuesday or Wednesday at the latest. \"We can't wait any longer
\nbecause poll officials, especially in the lowest rank, question
\nrepeatedly the fund's whereabouts.\"<\/p>\n
According to Djafar, out of a Rp 11 billion fund, Rp 330
\nmillion would be allocated for PPD I, Rp 2.6 billion for five
\nRegional Elections Committees (PPD II), Rp 1.2 billion for 43
\nDistrict Polling Committees (PPK), Rp 2.4 billion for 265
\nSubdistrict Polling Committees (PPS), Rp 4.3 billion for 11,000
\nSubdistrict Elections Committee Officials (KPPS).<\/p>\n
Djafar said the lowest level of the organization would receive
\na bigger part of the fund as it needs more operational costs.<\/p>\n
Due to a lack of preparation, including the fund's slow
\ndisbursement, the registration period could not start on April 5
\nas scheduled because many officials delayed its start until the
\nnext day.<\/p>\n
The period for people to voluntarily register for polling will
\nend on Monday. Starting on Monday through April 18, registration
\nofficials will visit those who live in remote areas and others
\nwho are unable to register themselves.<\/p>\n
Those who still cannot register will be given a chance to do
\nso from April 30 to May 4.<\/p>\n
Based on The Jakarta Post's observation on Friday, poll
\nofficials were indeed forced to pay poll preparation costs
\nthemselves, as happened at Kali Pasir in Kebon Sirih, Central
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
The neighborhood chief, Rozali, said that he, and sometimes
\nother community members as well, would spend about Rp 20,000 a
\nday for voter registration needs, including meals for
\nregistration officials.<\/p>\n
\"I've heard that registration officials will be paid based on
\nthe number of the registration forms, but I haven't received any
\nconfirmation yet,\" he said<\/p>\n
Djafar said on Sunday that if the fund was disbursed, each
\nofficial would be paid Rp 80 per registrant.<\/p>\n
Djafar had no idea on the reason behind the lateness of the
\nfund disbursement. \"What I know is that they ask us to open bank
\naccounts first before the disbursement.<\/p>\n
\"I think it is too demanding because the time is so limited,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
He said that if this problem was not solved, PPD I would
\nborrow money for the operational costs from the city
\nadministration, which has promised to lend Rp 1.5 billion. (ind)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/slow-disbursement-fo-fund-for-poll-costs-questioned-1447893297",
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