Officer promises safe Papua polls

JAYAPURA, Papua: A top military officer in Papua said on Friday the June elections in the province would be undisturbed.

"The military has not detected any indications that Papuan separatists will disrupt the elections, which will be held simultaneously on June 27," said the head of the Trikora Military Command overseeing Papua, Maj. Gen. Nurdin Zainal.

The two-star general said the military would beef up security during the elections in Papua's 13 regencies and municipalities.

At least 1,000 soldiers from the Trikora Military Command, not including Army intelligence officers, will be deployed to the areas where the polls will be held, Nurdin said.

The soldiers will support some 5,000 police officers who will be assigned to ensure security during the voting. -- JP