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KPUD told to remain independent
Two groups staged separate rallies on Thursday at the Riau General Elections Commission (KPUD) in Pekanbaru ahead of the Sept
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wo groups staged separate rallies on Thursday at the Riau General Elections Commission (KPUD) in Pekanbaru ahead of the Sept. 15 announcement of the gubernatorial election result.
The Indonesian Malay Youth (Permindo) and the Democracy Students Network (JMD) both told the Riau KPUD to carry out its duties independently.
Dozens of Permindo members claimed violations had occurred in Rokan Hilir and Pelalawan regencies during the Sept. 4 election.
'Fraud occurred in the form of crowd mobilization to support one of the candidates in Rokan Hilir,' a protester, Fauzi, told the crowd.
The protesters also claimed a public official had intimidated voters and witnesses at polling stations in Rokan Hilir and Pelalawan.
'He intended to sway, or direct voters to vote for one of the gubernatorial candidates,' explained protestor Fauzi.
Besides urging authorities to take stern action against dishonest members of the polling station working committee (KPPS), polling committees (PPS), district election committees and Rokan Hilir and Pelalawan KPUDs, Permindo also demanded that the Riau KPUD repeat vote counting in the two
regencies.
The JMD also urged the Riau KPUD to be more transparent and independent in the current stage. 'Don't force the election to go through just one round,' said rally coordinator Faisal Fajri.
'The Riau KPUD's decision must be in accordance with facts and it should not be influenced by pressure or input that cannot be accounted for. When carrying out its duties, the Riau KPUD should be independent for the sake of the people of Riau, and not for the interests of a particular group.'
The JMD also asked relevant agencies to investigate alleged vote rigging in Rokan Hilir.
'Throughout the history of this election, voter participation has never reached 80 percent, but in a number of places in Rokan Hilir, voter turnout was more than 80 percent. There's something fishy about that,' said Faisal.
'A number of surveys also indicated Rokan Hilir Regent Annas Maamun, one of the candidates, was leading the provisional vote tally. Suspicions of electoral fraud should be investigated to avoid various perceptions later.'
