Lack of money might ruin Riau Islands election plan

Lack of money might ruin Riau Islands election plan

Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam

A decision to cut the proposed election budget from Rp 39.6
billion to Rp 25 billion would jeopardize Riau Islands' plans to
hold regional elections, an official says.

General election commission official Surya Makmur Nasution
said the provincial government's decision to cut the proposed
election budget was not yet final but the proposal had caused
concern among election workers.

"It has been difficult for us to continue our preparations for
the election since we heard that only Rp 25 billion would be
approved by the council. That amount would not be enough to
finance the poll. Maybe it would be better if the councillors
organized the election themselves," Surya said.

Positions contested for the elections include that of
provincial governor, two mayors -- of Batam and Tanjung Pinang;
and four regents -- in Kepri, Karimun, Natuna and Lingga.

According to the election commission data, about 1.2 million
voters living in the province's 144 villages are eligible to take
part in the polls.

"The voting areas are spread across the different islands,
meaning organizers will face high transportation costs. We hope
the council does not act unilaterally to cut our proposed budget.
If it thinks the budget is too high, consult with us and we can
explain. If necessary, we're ready to be audited after the
election," Surya said.

The speaker of for the Riau Islands council, Nur Syafriadi,
said the council had not yet made a final decision on the
election budget. However, he said the Rp 39.6 billion fund might
be cut because the council's total funds were limited. The
current election budget would make up about 10 percent of the
council's annual budget of Rp 400 billion, he said.

"We have heard there is likely to be about Rp 10 billion
provided in assistance from the state budget," Nur said.