Banjarnegara PDI protests over poll

BANJARNEGARA, Central Java: The Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) plans to withdraw its victorious candidate from the local legislative council here in protest at alleged vote-rigging.

Banjarnegara PDI chief Subali Anwar Hidayat denied allegations yesterday that the decision was taken due to the party's poor showing in the general election.

The minority party obtained only 4 percent of the total vote in the regency, entitling PDI to one seat on the regency legislative council.

Subali said PDI had listed numerous violations of election laws that the local election committee had refused to look into.

"The dishonest practices contributed to the drop in PDI's showing," he said.

The problem, he said, was exacerbated by PDI ousted leader Megawati Soekarnoputri's decision to boycott the election. (wah)