Polls in Irian villages in doubt

Polls in Irian villages in doubt

MERAUKE, Irian Jaya: The election day in remote villages in the Merauke regency may have to be delayed because only a few ballot sheets and boxes have arrived, a local official said on Tuesday.

R. Gatot Marsigit, chairman of the regency elections committee, told Antara that most of the ballot boxes were still stranded in Merauke awaiting seals from Jakarta.

The lack of transportation also poses a major problem to the delivery of balloting materials to the remote areas, Gatot said.

Villages in coastal areas were reached by boats but the government has not arranged a way to reach those in the hinterland.

Gatot said he hoped Jakarta would allow more time to implement the election process in Merauke.