Regency election fraud protested

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Hundreds of people claiming to be the supporters of candidates in the East Sumba regency election clashed on Monday morning with police officers.

Dozens of people from both sides were injured.

The protesters, whose support was divided among three pairs of candidates, said they suspected irregularities in the June 30 election, including vote buying.

East Sumba Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Budi Prasetyo said the supporters had demanded the election be repeated.

Ballot counting, carried out by the East Sumba General Elections Commission (KPUD), is underway. In the provisional tally, pair Umbu Mehang Kunda and Gideon Mbilijora, nominated by Golkar Party, is leading the tally with 38 percent of the vote. -- JP