Governor asks people to pray

SURABAYA: With fears of election-related unrest and violence still prevailing, East Java Governor Imam Utomo told people in the province on Tuesday to spend the two days of the cooling-off period, June 5 and June 6, with prayers.

"I have ordered all mayors and regents under my supervision to meet with all parties and organizations related to the elections and pray together for a safe and smooth election day," Imam told Antara after a meeting with the province's regents and mayors here.

The cooling-off period succeeds the 16-day campaign season which will end on June 4. The polling day falls on June 7, followed by vote counting. It will take the General Elections Commission 12 hours to complete the vote count since balloting is closed at 2 p.m.

East Java is among the volatile areas in the run-up to election day. Clashes between supporters of rival parties have flared up in the province.

In the 1997 elections, balloting in three towns on Madura, an island off the province, was repeated due to violent protests against alleged vote-rigging. Imam was the province's military commander then.