he North Sulawesi Police have prepared to deploy additional personnel to secure elections in two regencies in the province, namely Bolaang Mongondow (Bolmong) and Sangihe, which are both deemed prone to conflict.
Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Ibrahim Tompo said tight security precautions had been taken in the two regencies set to carry out regional head elections on Feb. 15.
“We have dispatched 125 personnel to Bolmong and Sangihe to secure regional elections there. But we will deploy 150 more personnel in every police precinct,” said Tompo.
He further said it was hoped elections in Bolmong and Sangihe would run safely and smoothly. “We are striving to give a guarantee of security for all people in the regencies. It is also hoped all societal elements can contribute to creating public order and security,” he added.
North Sulawesi General Elections Commission (KPU) data division head Zulkifly Golonggom said voters in Bolmong numbered 167,551, spread across 15 districts, 202 villages and 346 polling stations. Meanwhile Sangihe recorded 105,193 voters registered in 15 districts, 167 villages and 299 polling stations.
“Currently, KPU offices in the two regencies are still in the process of sorting and folding ballot papers. The distribution of the ballots to districts will be conducted three days before voting day,” said Zulkifly.
Two candidate pairs, HR Makaganza-Fransiscus Silangen and Jabes E. Gagana-Helmut Hontong, will compete in the Sangihe election. In Bomong, the Yasti Soepredjo Mokoagow-Yanny Tuuk and Salihi Bue Mokodongan-Jefri Tumelap candidate pairs will vie for voter support. (ebf)
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