Pekalongan KPU member to be dismissed

SEMARANG: The Honorary Council of the Central Java Elections Commission has recommended the commission fire a member of the Pekalongan Elections Commission (KPU) for violating its code of ethics and election law.

Council head Wijaya said the Pekalongan KPU member, Teguh Santosa, was found to have received bribes to increase the votes for legislative candidates Zaenal Arifin and Aksin Purwoko from the National Functionary Concern Party (PKPB).

Wijaya promised to add 100 additional votes for each candidate in order to ensure their election at the Pekalongan Legislative Council.

"Teguh asked Zaenal and Aksin to pay Rp 13.5 million (US$1,350) and 11.5 million respectively. Although the candidates paid, Teguh failed to meet his promise to increase their votes and Zaenal and Aksin were not elected as members at the Pekalongan Legislative Council," Wijaya said Thursday.

He said the council believed that Teguh had abused his position as a KPU member.

"We recommend the Central Java KPU dismiss Teguh for the 2008-2013 term," he said. - JP