KPU begins distributing of ballot papers

M. Taufiqurrahman, Jakarta

The General Elections Commission (KPU) has begun to distribute ballot papers for the presidential election, with the country's far-flung regions given top priority.

KPU data made available to The Jakarta Post on Saturday revealed four of the 15 firms contracted to print the ballots had already finished the job, with over 15 million papers, or 10 percent of the total, now complete.

The firms are: PT Kartika Naya, PT Temprint, PT Gramedia and PT Temprina Media Grafika, all based in Greater Jakarta.

The KPU needs to print more than 150 million ballots for the July 5 presidential election. It plans to appoint still more printing companies to speed up the process.

The commission's distribution deadline for ballots to reach all 440 regencies is June 15.

The first 15 firms are tasked with printing about 122 million papers, with priority areas for distribution being Aceh, West Sumatra, Bengkulu, Bangka, Belitung, West and Central Kalimantan, Maluku and North Maluku, West Papua and Papua.

Official printing began on May 28 and the firms awarded the job were given 10 days to complete the work, including packaging.

KPU member Hamid Awaluddin said remote regions were targeted to prevent another delay in the poll.

The ballot papers will measure 26 cm by 47 cm, and will have color on the front.

The KPU was earlier criticized over delays in printing the ballots in the April 5 legislative election.