KPU insists poll preparations 'running smoothly'
KPU insists poll preparations 'running smoothly'
JAKARTA (JP): Despite mushrooming complaints from election
officials over the ill-prepared poll, the General Elections
Commission (KPU) secretary-general Amur Muchasim insists that
preparations were "running smoothly".
"All elections tool kits consisting of ballot papers, ink,
ballot pads up to the nails used to punch the ballot papers have
been distributed to all regencies," Amur said.
Reports from poll officials across regions said various
technical disruptions were found only four days ahead of the
poll, such as misprinted ballot papers and inferior ink in
Jakarta, Central and East Java as well as in Kalimantan, Lampung
and North Sumatra.
About 800,000 bottles of ink are needed for the poll.
The use of ink -- which people dip their fingers into after
voting -- is supposed to prevent multiple voting by remaining on
voters' fingers for at least three days. Multiple voting was
widely reported in the 1997 election. Amur denied reports that
the ink was inferior by saying it had been tested.
The Commission said 75 percent of the ink would be provided by
the United Nations Development Program, which is giving technical
support to the elections. Twenty-five percent of the ink needed
for 127.6 million voters is produced by local firms.
PT Surya Halex denied Wednesday that their ink of the Mirally
brand was inferior. "After the finger is dipped, wait for two to
three minutes to let the ink dry in the air and ultra violet rays
to get expected results," the statement signed by director M.A.S.
Alex Asmasoebrata said.
KPU chairman Rudini has cited indications of foul play by
certain parties seeking to foil the poll. He cited tampered
ballot-printing and cases of fading ink.
"We are investigating all possibilities here. But KPU will not
be distracted by such hindrances and we will replace all damaged
poll materials so we can have the poll on time," Rudini said.
Separately in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, an election
official here said they have yet to receive complete poll tool
kits due to the discrepancy of the number of polling stations.
Poll official Akil said the province needed 5,712 polling
stations like in the 1997 poll while the KPU had only allotted
some 4,500 stations.
The KPU said it had used the latest population figures to
determine all preparations for this year's poll.
In Jakarta, the Independent Election Monitoring Committee
(KIPP) branch here reported misleading information about voter
registration. The KPU has ruled that in volatile provinces of
Aceh and Maluku locals were allowed to vote by only showing some
identification without prior registration.
KIPP Jakarta quoted returning migrant workers being told by
East Jakarta officials that they could come on election day only
bringing some identification without prior registration. (edt/49)