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Election commission calls on Jayapurans to vote despite sole candidate pair
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Residents attend an election simulation held by General Elections Commission (KPU) in Abepura, Jayapura, Papua, on Feb. 4. Jayapura municipality only has one candidate pair to select on Feb. 15. (JP/Nethy Dharma Somba)
T
he General Elections Commission (KPU) has called on Jayapura residents to vote in the upcoming election, even though there is only one candidate pair running, saying that voting for the pair or leaving the box blank had the same political value.
He encouraged those who did not want to vote for the pair to visit a polling station anyway and leave the ballot paper blank. “Choosing a blank box counts as equal to choosing the sole candidate because it is your political aspiration,” KPU official Sigit Joyowardono said on Saturday during an election simulation in Jayapura, Papua.
Numerous residents came to see the election simulation event in Abepura, Jayapura. “I am a first-time voter and now I have to choose between a candidate and a blank box. I just learned today that we have only one candidate,” Nita, 20, said on Saturday.
Nita said although it would be her first time voting, she had adequate information because officials had explained the process clearly.
(Read also: Golkar denies double endorsement in Jayapura)
Haji Idrus, 69, felt different about leaving a ballot paper blank. “I feel different because usually we have several choices for candidates. But I have decided on my choice,” he said.
Jayapura is one of 11 regencies and municipalities in Papua that will hold elections on Feb. 15.
The municipality has 308,775 registered voters spread across 629 polling stations in five districts. The candidate pair in Jayapura is incumbent mayor Benhur Tomi Manno and Rustan Saru. (evi)
