East Java to determine new governor later today
Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya | Tue, 11/11/2008 3:31 PM
East Java General Election Commission (KPUD) began its official vote count under tight security this morning to determine the winner of East Java's recent gubernatorial race.
KPUD chairman Wahyudi said the counting would take six hours under a rigid procedure to determine the winner, because of the closeness of the race between rival candidates.
The second round of the gubernatorial elections saw the Khofifah Indar Parawansa and running mate Mudjiono (Kaji) pair against Soekarwo and partner Saifullah Yusuf (Karsa).
"So far, we have completed 50 percent of the count, and we are expecting to finish later today," Wahyudi said.
Thousands of anti-riot police and several water canons have been deployed to increase security around the Mercure Hotel where the vote count is being conducted.
Thousands of supporters of rival candidates have thronged the hotel, demanding an accurate and transparent count. This prompted police to close a section of Jl. Raya Darmo, Surabaya's main thoroughfare, rerouting traffic.
Some quick count surveys have shown Khofifah would win by a narrow margin (between 1 and 2 percent) against Soekarwo.
