More assistance from Japan

JAKARTA: The Japanese government has committed to providing a grant of US$3.48 million for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) for general election activities.

The Japanese Embassy said on Friday the money was earmarked for activities such as election monitoring and voter's education conducted by nongovernmental organizations.

Earlier this year, Japan contributed $31 million for the printing of ballot papers, poll workers' manuals, the purchase of indelible ink and radios to be used for electoral monitoring in remote areas.

Japan has dispatched 20 electoral advisors from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.