Sorcery banned in village polls

JAKARTA (JP): The chief of the Cirebon regency administration in West Java has issued a ban on the burning of incense during the elections for village chiefs in 117 districts in his area, Antara reported yesterday.

Regent Rachmat Djoehana said the tradition of burning incense, used by candidates as a form of sorcery to ensure victory, could disrupt the elections, which began on Monday and will last until Aug. 1.

Rachmat issued the ban after learning that many candidates in past elections had burned incense near the poll booths.

The news agency said many candidates spent millions of rupiah on their campaigns, including payments made to sorcerers to help them win. It is the sorcerers who prescribe the burning of incense. Some have given candidates a mantra to recite on election day.

One villager welcome the regent's ban on sorcery.

"You win or lose depending on whether you've got charisma or not and whether you're close to the people or not. Incense or no incense makes no difference," said Darpin, of Cempaka village, before casting his vote. (emb)