Jakarta Police chief says election security ran smoothly

Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Untung S. Rajab concluded that election day was "secured and under control without significant security threats", despite rumors of fraud and clashes on the day.

"There is false information circulating today, but none of it is correct. Up to now, we have yet to receive any reports of riots," he told a press conference on Thursday.

Several rumors surrounding the election were circulating on Thursday, including one about a clash between candidates' supporters in Karet Kuningan, South Jakarta, and another about campaign fraud in Tambora, West Jakarta. In Tambora, according to posters on the Internet and BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) service, voters were prevented from voting by their neighborhood unit chiefs as the ballots had already been marked to favor a certain candidate. The two cases were only rumors, Untung asserted. In Pancoran, South Jakarta, a suspicious bag was found under an overpass at noon. A bomb squad sent to the site found only several pieces of underwear inside.

"Such information and such an action were likely spread and done by irresponsible individuals and not by any of the campaign teams of the candidates," he said.

Untung called on candidates' supporters to settle any differences concerning the election results through the courts or dialogue and to not resort to any actions that breached the law.

A total of 16,605 personnel, including 2,200 soldiers, were deployed to safeguard the elections.

Untung said that the officers would patrol the capital until Nov. 2, in an effort to maintain security and to avoid post-election riots. (aml/swd)