Timorese asked to go to polls

DILI, East Timor: Politicians have advised locals against boycotting next year's general election.

Leaders of the dominant political organization Golkar, the United Development Party (PPP) and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) called on East Timorese not to listen to irresponsible propaganda aimed at preventing residents from going to the polling stations.

"Casting a ballot will show that voters are good Indonesian citizens," said chief of the local Golkar chapter, Armindo Soares.

Golkar is determined to snatch 32 of the 36 seats in the provincial legislative council.

Local PPP chief Hasan Saal and PDI secretary Joau Bosco told Antara that the East Timorese have no reason to refuse to vote next year.

"East Timorese should help make the general election a success," Bosco said. (pan)