KPUD chairman Lanang Perbawa stated that the elections in Denpasar, Tabanan, Bangli, Badung and Karangasem regencies would be vulnerable to conflict, as compared to the legislative election in April 2009.

“Most voters are socially and culturally close to the candidates. Therefore, any action could trigger tension among supporters,” Perbawa said.

In the last legislative election, most people did not have any emotional attachment to the candidates as there were many candidates who never met their constituents.

For the next election, however, the majority of the candidates are local community leaders or traditional and cultural heads of the regencies.

In Badung regency, the richest region in the province, the incumbent regent Anak Agung Gde Agung is the “king of the royal house of Mengwi”.

His competitors may come from other noble families in Bali, and every leader has his own fanatical supporters.

Moreover, Bali is a very small territory with each regency occupying a relatively small area. Denpasar is the most densely populated area, with more than 1 million residents.

“We have to anticipate any possible disturbances before and after the election,” Perbawa said.

The candidates’ campaign period might be a very risky time, with thousands of people rallying on the streets.

“The KPUD-Bali Police collaboration is expected to secure the election and help create a peaceful situation,” he said.

The KPUD will start registering eligible voters from Feb. 3, 2010, while registration for candidates will commence on March 5, 2010.

Bali Police chief Insp. Gen. Sutisna warned the KPUD to pay serious attention to the rights of voters.

“People who are not included on the electoral roll may be a potential threat,” Sutisna was convinced.

The KPUD denied people their right to vote in both legislative and presidential elections in 2009 because their names were not on the official electoral roll.

Bali Police and the KPUD have planned to invite all candidates to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to ensure that the coming election will run smoothly.

“It will need a strong commitment from all candidates to respect the MOU,” he said.

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