Thousands demand annulment of election

BANJARNEGARA, Central Java : Thousands of people, mostly supporters of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), staged a rally in front of the local council building on Monday to demand the cancellation of the recent result of the election for regent.

Protestors claim that the election of the Banjarnegara regent on Thursday was marred by money politics practices.

Representatives of the protesters met with councillor Sri Ruwiyati of the PDI Perjuangan faction to air their concerns.

Ruwiyati later told reporters that the concerns would be taken up at a plenary council meeting on Wednesday.

Despite holding 17 seats in the 45 seat council, PDI Perjuangan regency candidate Mardjono flopped during the election as he gained only 14 votes.

He was defeated by Djasri S.P. of the Association of Islamic Parties faction (FPPI) who received 31 votes.(45)