Fake diplomas mar village chief race

TANGERANG (JP): At least 17 of 386 candidates up for 119 village chief posts in Tangerang regency here are suspected of submitting fake school diplomas to meet the prerequisites for the coveted position.

The head of the regency's village administration department, H.E. Kusnadi, said Wednesday the election committee discovered the fraud thanks to tip-offs from the public as well as the candidates' competitors.

"The election committee received many reports from public and the candidates' rivals that many of the candidates never passed their junior high schools," Kusnadi said.

The committee required candidates to have junior high school diplomas or their equivalency to qualify for selection.

Candidates who fell short of the requirements reportedly bribed officials to obtain diplomas and used phony school stamps, Kusnadi said. (41/jun)