552 personnel secure election

552 personnel secure election

BAUCAU, East Timor: A total 552 military personnel stand ready
to safeguard the general election here, said Lt. Col. Herman
Tedez of the regional military command.

"The personnel are dispersed throughout Baucau's six
districts," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

Deputy chief of police Capt. Sanyoto said 164 police officers
and 321 civilian personnel will be deployed to safeguard the
ballot boxes. He said 90 of East Timor's police will stand guard
at police headquarters throughout the campaign period until the
ballot counts.

Every ballot box will be protected by two to four police
officers, depending on the district's level of vulnerability, he
said. Security officers have been undergoing intensive weekly
training, he added.

Baucau regency consists of 50,530 voters who have access to
107 ballot boxes in six districts, 58 villages and two
preparatory villages. (01)