Nine voter registration officers die

SURABAYA, East Java: Nine voter registration officials in East Java died on duty from either illness or accidents in just three weeks last month, East Java voter registration coordinator Hera Hendra said Thursday.

Of the deaths, between April 4 and April 25, four were killed in accidents and two died of illness, Hera said. She did not say how the remaining three died.

"We are taking care of their insurance policies because the General Elections Commission (KPU) in Jakarta requires that all workers must be insured."

Hera said it had registered 98.96 percent of all the estimated voters in the province. She said the registration process would be extended from April 30 until May 14. -- Antara