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)