Bali police identify election threats

Wahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar

Bali police detectives have indicated that the direct election of regional heads in Bali in June may be prone to a number of risks and could even lead to anarchy.

Bali police spokesman Sr. Comr. AS Reniban said on Monday that the police have received reports of at least 11 types of threats that might possibly occur during the elections in Bali.

According to Bali police intelligence, the threats included violent street campaigns, money politics, internal party conflicts, vote count frauds, physical clashes, arson, vandalism and torture.

"But don't make this report as an excuse to feel insecure that Bali is vulnerable to conflict during the election," Reniban said.

However, he also reminded security personnel and the public not to underestimate the report and remain cool so the election could proceed safely.

"Police intelligence says the report is based on experience of the last presidential elections and the latest political climate in Bali. So, it's not baseless," said Reniban.

He said police would keep guard against three main threats: fraud during vote counts, intimidation and the widespread use of money politics.

The threats, he said, could take place anywhere in areas where the elections are held -- Badung, Bangli, Karangasem and Tabanan regencies, as well as the Denpasar mayoralty. He added the police would pay more attention to Badung and Denpasar, the larger population centers.

Bali police data shows that the largest number of eligible voters come from Denpasar, with more than 390,000, followed by Badung and Tabanan, each with more than 300,000 voters respectively. Karangasem has 250,000 voters, and Bangli more than 150,000 voters.

With more than 1.3 eligible voters in five regencies and mayoralty casting their votes in June, the Bali police will mobilize 5,500 personnel to safeguard the election.

"The military will assist by mobilizing 1,100 more troops," said Reniban.

Apart from security personnel deployment, Bali police are also discussing security plans for the election. They have yet to determine security measures to be used, as data on the number of polling stations in the five areas is still unavailable.

Bali General Elections Commission head Wisnumurti said the election would be held in the five regions in Bali simultaneously on June 24. It was previously scheduled on June 12.