Security fears delay village polls

PURWOKERTO, Central Java: The election of village chiefs in 80 villages in the Banyumas regency has been postponed for reasons of "security and order".

Banyumas Regent Aris Setiono confirmed the postponement but would not elaborate on the reasons.

"It's to maintain security and order," he remarked without saying how long the postponement would be.

The head of the regency's public affairs office, Noer Sigit, acknowledged that the delay was related to demonstrations and protests going on in several of the villages.

He said there was a fear that the elections could spark unrest if held now, adding that the protests were connected to dissatisfaction over the selection process of the village candidates.

"In anticipation of possible unrest we have had to take firm action and for now cancel all elections in the 80 villages," Noer told The Jakarta Post here yesterday. (45)