Bali police identify election threats

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.