W. Irian Jaya leaders call for local poll

W. Irian Jaya leaders call for local poll

JAKARTA: A delegation of lawmakers and informal leaders from
West Irian Jaya province visited the House of Representatives on
Thursday in a campaign to push the central government to
immediately allow the implementation of local elections.

The delegation, led by speaker of the West Irian Jaya
provincial legislative council Jimmy Demianus Idjie, was met by
leaders of the Democratic Party faction in the House.

Jimmy said that the people of West Irian Jaya and the local
office of the General Elections Commission (KPUD) were ready and
prepared to carry out the elections for governor and regents, and
hoped the central government would allow the elections to take
place either on Aug. 22 or Aug. 29.

Previously planned elections in the province had been canceled
twice by the Ministry of Home Affairs, but no clear reasons were
given for the cancellations. Inititally, the vote was supposed
to be held on June 27, but that was changed to July 28. But the
ministry announced another delay on July 27, without disclosing a
new date. -- Antara