Peaceful pact opens campaign round

DENPASAR: Heads of campaign teams from the three presidential candidate teams signed a peaceful declaration Wednesday to kickoff the campaign period, starting on Thursday and ending on July 4.

During the signing, attended by the Bali deputy governor, chiefs from the Regional Elections Commission (KPUD) and the Bali Election Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu), the campaign teams agreed to conduct peaceful and democratic campaigns.

Bali KPUD chief, I Ketut Sukawati Lanang Perbawa, said the declaration was necessary to assure Bali's residents that peaceful campaigning would ensue.

"To maintain security in Bali, we have always acted based on principles of peace," said Anak Agung Oka Ratmadi, of the Megawati-Prabowo local campaign team. - JP