Oxen for officials who aided Golkar

BANYUMAS, Central Java (JP): Regent Djoko Sudantoko is busy counting the oxen he will have to give to officials who helped Golkar win at least 90 percent of votes at their polling stations.

The regent had promised to give one ox to each polling station where Golkar won at least 95 percent of votes and two oxen for ones where it snatched 100 percent of votes.

Regency officials have said Golkar won between 95 percent and 100 percent of votes in 412 of the regency's 2,181 polling stations.

The regent has already given 424 oxen to officials who helped Golkar to win the May 29 election.

"It's up to the recipients to decide how to share their prizes," Djoko said Tuesday.

Critics have said that promised rewards tempted officials to do everything possible to help Golkar win. Another Golkar supporter, the Serang regent, openly promised to give away goats and buffaloes as polling rewards.

Djoko's promises worked well in the countryside, but not in towns where the call for an election boycott was strong and many ballot papers were spoilt.

At the Karangklesem government-staff housing complex, for example, Golkar only won by a 90 percent margin. (wah/pan)