Security fears delay village polls

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)