Depok residents told to calm down

Fearing escalating tension in Depok following the court ruling that overturned the result of the June 26 mayoral election, the Jakarta Police called on Depok residents to stay calm, while saying that police would send more personnel.

Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani said the police would maintain a high alert in the Depok mayoralty.

Fears of violent clashes between the supporters of Badrul Kamal and Syihabuddin Ahmad and the election winners Nur Mahmudi Ismail and Yuyun Wirasaputra reached a new height following the West Java High Court's ruling on Thursday.

The court found rampant vote rigging and manipulation in the election which had led to the undercounting of Badrul's vote and the overcounting of Nur Mahmudi's vote.

The ruling brought fresh disappointment to supporters of Nur Mahmudi, who is a candidate from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and also the former forestry minister.

His supporters plan to stage a massive rally on Saturday to protest the decision.

"There has been consensus from both pairs to maintain the peace ... But, we have deployed around 200 personnel to back up the Depok Police precinct to stave off possible threats to security," Firman said.

Despite the court ruling, some administrative law experts said that Badrul would have to delay any celebrations should Nur Mahmudi lodge an appeal with the Supreme Court. -- JP