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Bawaslu probes distribution of Agus-Sylviana watches
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Jakarta gubernatorial candidate Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (left) greets residents of Kenari subdistrict in Central Jakarta during a campaign stop on Feb. 2. (Antara/Akbar Nugroho Gumay)
T
he Jakarta Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu Jakarta) has said it is investigating possible vote-buying in the form of free watches allegedly handed out by the campaign team of Jakarta gubernatorial candidate Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono.
The watches were allegedly distributed during a campaign event at the Sentul International Convention Center (SICC) in West Java on Sunday.
"We got information from a person who received one of these watches and lives in North Jakarta. We are investigating this matter with assistance from North Jakarta elections supervisors," Bawaslu Jakarta head Mimah Susanti said on Wednesday.
Integrated election law enforcement staff would further examine the information to assess whether vote-buying had occurred, Mimah said.
A picture of a watch with an image of Agus and his running mate Sylviana Murni went viral on social media, with some people deeming the souvenir quite luxurious.
(Read also: Ahok team denies knowledge of bazaars)
Agus-Sylviana's campaign team spokesman Rico Rustombi said the team had not distributed the souvenirs to event participants.
Instead, he claimed the rumors were part of a smear campaign aimed at undermining Agus and Sylviana.
"There is a watch with an Agus and Sylvi logo. Is it a smear campaign? Yes it is," Rico said as quoted by kompas.com on Sunday. (bbs)
