Tegal restaurateurs elect village chief

TEGAL, Central Java: Thousands of Tegal migrants in Jakarta who own small food stalls usually known as "Warteg" have been summoned home to elect the new chief of Sidapurna village, Antara reported yesterday.

Local leader Rasmidi said Sunday the Tegal entrepreneurs were "forced" to go home by the election committee to take part in a planned reelection because the number of voters at Friday's election was inadequate.

The number of registered voters was 6,547, but those who cast their ballots during the first election were 4,290, less than the required 4,364 to meet the quorum.

The three candidates -- Mardi, Rachmanu and Solichin -- agreed to the reelection. About 2,000 Tegal entrepreneurs left their businesses in Jakarta to return home for the election, said Dukuh Turi district chief Abdul Latif. (swe)