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Singkawang makes it easier for leprosy patients to vote
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An Alverno Leprosy Hospital staff member assists a patient to cast his vote in the Singkawang mayoral election in Singkawang city, West Kalimantan. (JP/Severianus Endi)
T
he Singkawang General Elections Commission (KPU Singkawang) in West Kalimantan has tried to attract voters to exercise their democratic right by providing special services to hospital-ridden residents, and by livening up a polling station with decorations for this year's mayoral election.
A polling station, for instance, was erected at Alverno Leprosy Hospital to cater for the needs of its patients to vote on Wednesday.
The head of the local poll administrators (KPPS) at the hospital, Ari Asnanto, said there were 53 registered voters at the polling station in Pasiran subdistrict, West Singkawang district. Of the number, 70 percent were patients, while the remaining voters were patients' relatives.
Some patients came to the polling station on a wheelchair, while some others were escorted by hospital staff members.
A hospital staff member, Yohana Lince, said that of 34 patients, at least 20 were registered voters.
Meanwhile, another polling station tried to attract voters by decorating a station with Chinese New Year ornaments.
"At a glance, this [the polling station] looks like a worship place as it is dominated by Chinese decorations. But this is actually a house,” said Martin, the stations KPPS head.
Prior to the election, KPU Singkawang used a mobile car service to go around 26 districts to encourage residents to vote. (trw)
