People come out for candidates

AMBON, Maluku: At least 700 people gathered outside the office of the Maluku General Elections Commission (KPUD) on Thursday to demand their candidates be allowed to contest the election in Eastern Seram regency.

The people are protesting the poll commission after it failed to include the names of Anshar Wattimena and Abdul Hamid Kelian on the list of those eligible to contest the election for regent and vice regent in Eastern Seram.

Sidik Rumalowak, the head of the Eastern Seram KPUD, said Anshar and Abdul were ineligible to take part in the election because they failed to complete the registration requirements.

He said the two were reportedly nominated by the Indonesian Justice and Unity Party (PKPI), but the KPUD determined the party did not have a local office. -- JP