Ngada regent not installed

Ngada regent not installed

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The official ceremony to install
the newly elected Ngada regent Piet Nuwa Wea and his deputy
Nikolaus Dopo was postponed indefinitely on Monday due to the
absence of a decree from the Minister of Home Affairs.

The delay was caused by the alleged forgery of ballot papers
during the July election, the legal proceedings over which are
still in process.

Spokesman of the Ngada Election Commission, Bernaditus Deby
Ngebu, said the inauguration was planned for Monday and he did
not know when it would eventually take place.

"According to the regulations on elections, the inauguration
should take place between Aug. 29 and Sept. 8," Ngebu said.

He claimed the residents were disappointed with the delay,
knowing the minister issued decrees to install five other newly
elected regents in East Nusa Tenggara province.

"The minister has to explain why the decree to install Ngada
regent has not been issued. If there's conflict, it should be
taken care of," said Erasmus Naggi, a Ngada resident.

Governor Piet A. Tallo installed West Manggarai Regent
Wilfridus Fidelis Pranda and his deputy Agustinus Ch Dula on
Monday, while on Saturday, Simon Hayon and Yoseph Lagadoni Herin
were installed as East Flores regent and deputy regent
respectively. -- JP