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