TNI vows to help with elections

TNI vows to help with elections

JAKARTA: Despite only having 50 percent of its troops
available, the Indonesian Military (TNI) would still be ready to
help the police secure the 2004 general elections, an officer
says.

"We are ready even though some 50 percent of our forces have
been deployed in areas of conflict in the country," Lt. Gen.
Djamari Chaniago, TNI's chief for general affairs, told reporters
on Tuesday.

He said that soldiers deployed in conflict areas in the
country may also help the police secure the elections.

"They may secure the polls where they are currently serving,"
Djamari said.

TNI has more than 300,000 army, navy and air force personnel.

Nearly 145 million voters are expected to participate in the
legislative election on April 5 and the two-round direct
presidential elections on July 5 and Sept. 20 respectively.

A total of 24 political parties are eligible to contest in the
elections. --JP