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