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Police may recommend election delay
The National Police may recommend postponement of upcoming regional elections in certain areas if security budgets in those areas are not yet available, police chief Badrodin Haiti has said
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T
he National Police may recommend postponement of upcoming regional elections in certain areas if security budgets in those areas are not yet available, police chief Badrodin Haiti has said.
'If I'm not mistaken, there is still a shortfall of Rp 500 billion (US$37.5 million) in security budgets for the elections. For regions that still don't have security budgets, we can recommend that the government postpone elections in those areas. But for regions whose security budgets are available, we are ready to secure their the elections,' said Badrodin as quoted by Antara after he attended a meeting with the House of Representatives' Commission III overseeing legal affairs in Jakarta on Thursday.
The police chief said he would discuss the issue with Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo so he could coordinate with local administrations in their respective areas.
Commission III speaker Azis Syamsuddin said a certain period of time should be allocated to ensure the availability of election security budgets for the National Police, which should have reached Rp 1 trillion.
'If the budgets cannot be fulfilled ahead of the elections, there must be a solution, because security and public order are two main factors for regional elections to run smoothly and peacefully,' said Azis.
Asked about speculation concerning postponement of the elections, he said postponement needed approval from the government and had to be legalized through a government regulation in lieu of law (Perppu).
'The House cannot decide alone,' said Azis. (ebf)(+++)
