Committee likely to annul election

Committee likely to annul election

BOGOR: Bogor's mayoral election could be annulled after
apparent proof newly-elected deputy mayor Mochamad Sahid
submitted a bogus high school diploma before the Feb. 14
elections.

Mayoral elections committee member Nuruzzaman, of the Justice
Party faction, said on Monday he and other members Hamzah Ismail,
Hotman Damanik and Rohili had met with Jakarta education agency
officials.

The officials had confirmed Sahid's diploma, submitted in the
qualifying process, was a fake.

"With the evidence, we declare the election invalid and
postpone any installment (of the new administration)," he said.

Nuruzzaman said the agency only issued high school diplomas
with serial numbers up to 2500, while Sahid's had a serial number
in the 6000s. The agency also said it did not have Sahid's test
number. He was also alleged to have faked the signature and stamp
on the diploma.

"Pak Sahid used other people's diplomas when nominating
himself in the mayoral election," Nuruzzaman said.

The committee will discuss their findings with the Bogor
Council soon and will seek the West Java administration's
approval to oust Sahid and mayor-elect Diani Budiarto. -- JP