Poll officials to go on strike

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