Local elections in West Irian Jaya delayed

Local elections in West Irian Jaya delayed

The Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to postpone local elections in West Irian Jaya province because the local office of the General Elections Commission (KPUD) is deemed "technically ill-prepared" to carry out the elections, initially scheduled for July 28.

Head of the KPUD Regina Sauyai said the commission was notified of the ministry's ruling on Tuesday afternoon and would not challenge the decision. The KPUD had initially demanded that the central government not postpone the election, claiming that 99 percent of preparations had been made. The ministry is yet to decide when the province and its six regencies will hold the elections. -- JP