Kupang's unregistered populous win right to vote in elections

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Mon, 05/21/2007 8:08 AM

Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang

Thousands of unregistered voters have won their fight to cast votes in the direct Kupang mayoral election scheduled for the East Nusa Tenggara capital city Monday.

East Nusa Tenggara Governor Piet A. Tallo announced his decision through administrative bureau head Stef Manafe and community protection body Yos Mamulak during a closed-door meeting at the governor's office held in line with further protests from 10,000 unregistered voters Saturday.

The meeting was attended by head of Kupang city General Elections Commission (KPUD), Umbu Makabombu and the commission's three other members.

In the meeting it was agreed the unregistered voters could vote by carrying a copy of their identity card and family card to the polling stations Monday.

Officials have been under much pressure after thousands of unregistered voters, including public figures and youth leaders, staged continuous protests last week, demanding their right to vote and threatening to boycott the elections if their demand was not met.

Protest spokesperson Dumul Djami said after the closed-door meeting they would make sure the decision was implemented during the Monday election.

Dumul also said he hoped election organizers would be independent.

""KPUD, as the election organizer, should not restrain the people,"" he said.

""The governor's decision to allow unregistered voters to vote is a wise decision.

""We will make sure there will be no election violation.""

After learning about the decision, thousands of protesters dispersed -- but some stayed outside the KPUD office to wait for the commission to issue an official letter confirming the decision.

Director of East Nusa Tenggara People's Advocacy and Initiative Development Institute, Sarah Lery Mbuik, said KPUD should act wisely Monday and avoid any complications for the unregistered voters.

Sarah said there had been a conspiracy between the voter registration office and certain election candidates. She said they had tried to lose names of voters who would likely support their opposition.

""If this is what really happens, then Kupang city administration should take the responsibility,"" Sarah said.

""Some 10,000 unregistered voters is a big number.""

KPUD chairman in Kupang, Umbu Makabombu, declined to comment on the governor's decision.

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