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Vehicles searched to prevent mass mobilization on Jakarta election day
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All set: Incumbent gubernatorial candidate pair Basuki Tjahaja Purnama-Djarot Saiful Hidayat and their rivals Anies Baswedan-Sandiaga Uno participate in an election debate at the Bidakara Hotel in Jakarta, on April 12. (JP/Seto Wardhana.)
T
he Karanganyar Police in Central Java staged on Tuesday the unannounced examination of vehicles bound for Jakarta to prevent any mass mobilization during Wednesday’s gubernatorial runoff election in the country’s capital.
The search was conducted for one hour in the morning, at noon and in the afternoon in several locations along the Karanganyar-Solo highway.
Police personnel stopped and examined all public transportation, private cars and trucks during the raid. They examined not only driving licenses but also the identities of passengers and their belongings. The police also asked their travel destinations and purposes.
In the raid, the police informed the travelers about the National Police chief’s directive, which bans any parties staging a mass mobilization during Jakarta’s election day. Fifteen minibuses, 10 private cars and three buses were ordered to turn back.
“A directive issued by the Elections Supervisory Agency [Bawaslu], the Jakarta General Elections Commission [KPU], and the Jakarta Police has stated the gubernatorial election is the concern of Jakarta voters only. Hence, with regard to any mass mobilization, we will order them to return home. Moreover, the National Police chief [Gen.Tito Karnavian] himself has issued such an order,” said Karanganyar Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Ade Safri Simanjuntak.
During the operation, the police randomly examined goods carried by trucks. Ade said the search was aimed at preventing the delivery of dangerous materials, which might affect security.
“There’s no need for people from other areas to directly witness the election. Mass mobilization will only create an unconducive situation,” said Ade. (ebf)
