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Papua Police to beef up security for 2017 elections
Around 10,000 security personnel from the National Police, the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the Community Protection Agency ( linmas ) will be deployed to guard the 2017 general elections in Papua.
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Mock protesters try to intimidate police personnel during a simulation of regional elections security in Banda Aceh on Oct. 15. (Antara/Ampelsa)
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round 10,000 security personnel from the National Police, the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the Community Protection Agency (linmas) will be deployed to guard the 2017 general elections in Papua.
Eleven regencies and municipalities will take part in the election scheduled for Feb. 15, 2017.
"The security umbrella will be implemented from the registration of hopefuls up to the announcement of the winners," Papua Police chief Inps. Gen. Paulus Waterpauw said during a simulation event of regional elections security in Jayapura on Saturday.
Papua Police have arranged strategic planning for all regencies and municipalities that participate in the elections.
"We will press down on any conflicts that might happen," Paulus said.
From the 11 areas, security authorities have listed four areas as potential zones of conflict, namely Jayapura, Lanny Jaya, Puncak Jaya and Tolikara.
In Jayapura, conflict may emerge after the Golkar Party mistakenly endorsed two candidate pairs, Abisai Rollo-Dipo Wibowo and Benhur Tommy Mano-Rustan Saru. The mistake led to the acting secretary of Golkar’s Papua branch, Marthinus Werimon, to receive a bomb threat on Thursday.
Furthermore, in Puncak Jaya, there is a potential for conflict from armed militia groups operating in the area. (rin)
