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Voting in parts of Sangihe Islands postponed due to bad weather
Nine polling stations in remote areas of Sangihe Islands regency, North Sulawesi, failed to hold voting on Wednesday as bad weather hindered the distribution of election materials to the areas.
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Delayed: Ballot drop boxes for the Sangihe Islands regency election are loaded onboard a vessel, which will transported to Nusa Tabukan and Marore Islands districts in North Sulawesi. (JP/Eva Aruperes)
“The polling stations have not yet received voting materials because of strong waves and extreme weather. This is why voting could not be conducted today [Wednesday],” General Elections Commission (KPU) commissioner Ferry Kurnia Rizkiyansyah told journalists on Wednesday.
He said it was expected the materials would arrive at the polling stations on Wednesday afternoon. However, local election organizers decided to postpone proceedings instead as they were worried the voting process would not run smoothly if conducted in the evening.
“It is better to postpone it to tomorrow or the day after. This matter will be discussed further by the election organizers there. This postponement wouldn’t affect the spirit of holding simultaneous elections,” Ferry said.
Initially, the KPU set to hold simultaneous elections in 101 regions across the country.
Separately, KPU Sangihe chairperson Elsye Sinadia confirmed voting in five villages in Nusa Tabukan, Sangihe Islands, would be conducted on Thursday as election materials arrived in the district on Wednesday afternoon.
“Strong waves and extreme weather hampered the logistics of delivery,” she said.
Elsye hoped the voting, which would be held in nine polling stations for 2,455 registered voters would run smoothly. (ebf)
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