Poll officials to go on strike

MALANG, East Java: Dozens of poll officials here have threatened to go on strike if the local government and legislature fail to disburse the budget allocated for them.

A district election official told a hearing with Deputy Mayor Bambang Priyo Utomo on Wednesday he had used his own money to cover the operational cost of the committee.

"The municipal election committee has not responded to our demand, citing various excuses. If ill-treated, we are prepared to go on strike," the official, Sutiadji, said.

Subdistrict and district poll officials across this hilly East Java town have unilaterally demanded Rp 1.5 billion (US$163,000) to build 2,046 polling stations, procure equipment and pay their allowances.

The deputy mayor said the local government and legislature were still discussing the municipal election committee's proposed budget of Rp 900 million. -- Antara