Party drops branch chief

PALU, Central Sulawesi: Controversy wrapped up the election of the chief of the province's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle on Sunday after party executives annulled the floor's choice.

The party's deputy chairman, Arifin Panigoro, who supervised the election, announced that Dahyar Alatas won the election, even though Dahyar received six votes to finish behind Rendy Lamadjido who earned eight, Antara reported.

Arifin would not comment on the decision, but a House of Representatives legislator from the province, Fauziah Abdullah, said Rendy did not qualify because he had not officially quit from the Golkar Party yet. (amd)