Papua needs Rp 15t for elections

Papua needs Rp 15t for elections

JAYAPURA, Papua: Papua needs at least Rp 15 billion (US$1.8
million) to finance the upcoming general elections across its 19
regencies and mayoralties in Papua province and nine regencies
and mayoralties in West Papua province.

The special fund will be allocated mainly to provide
accommodation and transportation for Papuan voters traveling
cross-province from remote areas to cast their votes.

Sangadji, a member of the Papua provincial General Elections
Commission (KPU), said that unlike Java island, Papua was not
densely populated and the local population generally lived far
from each other.

In order to settle the logistical problem, electoral officials
will determine strategic locations for ballot booths.

"The people will then gather to these booths from various
areas, so we will surely need a transportation and accommodation
fund for them," he said.

Papua has traditionally received special funds during general
elections, and received a Rp 4 billion special fund from the
government for the last election, the 1999 legislative election.

Sangadji said the local KPU requested Rp 15 billion for this
year's elections, as it entailed a legislative and two-round
presidential election.

Indonesians will vote on Apr. 5 for legislative members and on
July 5 for president and vice president. If there is no clear
winner in the presidential election, the run-off election will
take place on Sept. 20. -- JP