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Election scenarios prepared as Merapi's activity intensifies
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On alert: Residents of Glagah Harjo, Sleman, Yogyakarta, are transported to the village hall on Thursday. (JP/Tarko Sudiarno)
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mid increasing volcanic activity at Mount Merapi, authorities are carrying out preparations to ensure that residents of Magelang, Central Java, living near the volcano can still participate in the regency election, which is scheduled to take place on June 27.
Among districts that may be affected by Mt.Merapi’s eruption are Dukun, Sawangan and Srumbung, which cover 19 villages and have a total population of 46,616.
Acting Magelang regent Tavip Supriyanto said he hoped the volcanic activity did not disrupt the election.
The regent said he had coordinated with the Magelang General Elections Commission (KPU) to prepare election scenarios for areas affected by the disaster. He said polling stations in villages affected by the eruptions would be moved to other villages that were farther from the volcano.
“KPU Magelang has prepared technical matters so that all residents who are evacuated can still cast their votes,” said Tavip as quoted by kompas.com on Thursday.
The regent later called on people who lived in eruption-affected areas to secure important documents, such as ID cards, family cards, diplomas and voting invitations from the KPU.
“Take all of those documents when evacuating. These include voting invitations from the KPU so that registration is much easier once the disaster happens,” said Tavip.
A series of phreatic eruptions have occurred at Mt. Merapi since May. 11. On Thursday, another phreatic eruption occurred at 2:55 a.m. (hol/ebf)
