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Vessel carrying ballots sinks in Bintan
Riau General Elections Commission commissioner Parlindungan Sihombing said the incident would not hamper the distribution of ballots.
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All ready – Ballot drop boxes for the Sangihe Islands regental election are prepared on the deck of a ship, which will carry them to Nusa Tabukan and Marore Islands districts in the early hours of Saturday. (JP/Eva Aruperes)
KM Bayu Permata sunk in Rusa Island waters, Bintan regency, Riau Islands province, while carrying 26 sacks of ballots for the upcoming elections. The ballots were reportedly recovered by a fishing boat, while monitored by the police.
Pangkalpinang National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) operational head Eko Supriyanto said the vessel was heading to Ranai, Natuna regency from Tanjungpinang to distribute the ballots.
“The election materials have been recovered, but the Bayu Permata is still at the location. We are not able to move it yet,” Eko told The Jakarta Poston Monday, adding that the ballots were being transferred to Natuna.
The incident, Eko said, occurred when the vessel got caught in coral.
Meanwhile, Riau General Elections Commission (KPU Riau) commissioner Parlindungan Sihombing said the incident would not hamper the distribution of ballots.
“We still have enough time for the distribution. We’ll ensure that elections in all regencies and cities in the province run as scheduled,” Parlindungan said.
He went on to say that the distribution of ballots in remote areas was ongoing and expected to be completed one day before the elections, which will take place on April 17. (Foy)
