UGM students poll watchdog

UGM students poll watchdog

YOGYAKARTA: A total of 918 students from Gadjah Mada University (UGM) will act as general election watchdogs in the province as part of the campus's obligatory community service program.

University rector Sofian Effendi led a ceremony earlier this week to see off the students to various locations throughout the province.

The students are scheduled to carry out their work until April 15.

Speaking during the ceremony, Sofian said the students would be assigned to monitor the elections in four regencies in Yogyakarta: Gunungkidul, Kulonprogo, Sleman and Bantul.

"The students will be accompanied by five coordinators at the regency level and 20 other coordinators at the district level," Sofian said.

The students will be involved in disseminating information on the elections law, educating voters and monitoring the polls.

Sofian said neutrality was vital for the participating students, who will not be allowed to become involved in any political activities while taking part in the program. Anyone violating this rule will be removed from the program. -- JP