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