Police need Rp 5b to secure polls

PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan: West Kalimantan Police have asked for Rp 5 billion (US$543,500) to provide security in six regencies that will be holding local elections this year.

Head of the election desk Henri Usman said on Saturday the security outlay would add an additional burden to the provincial budget. The amount allocated for conducting the polls was Rp 56.4 billion.

"The budget allocation is still being discussed by the provincial administration and legislature," Henri said.

He said Melawi and Sekadau regencies would receive assistance of more than Rp 1 billion each because of their status as new administrative regions.

Direct elections for regents will take place simultaneously on June 20. -- Antara