Papua police chief Inspector General Tito Karnavian (Jubi)
Jayapura, 13/4 (Jubi) – Dozens of riot police will be deployed to Tolikara to prevent violence following an election dispute surrounding the use of the Noken system.
Papua police chief Inspector General Tito Karnavian, said the situation remained under control.
“I heard the police chief with the military, local government, Election Commission, Election Supervisory Committee are able to handle it. However one platoon of Mobile Brigade officers will be sent there on Monday” Karnavian said on Sunday (13/4).
A riot nearly broke out on Saturday in Bokondini, Tolikara during a vote count after some candidates running in the elections felt dissatisfied with the results and suspected fraud.
“Some people who were not satisfied became angry because they thought the counting of votes was too long and saw indications of fraud,” Yoram, a Bokondini resident, told Jubi on Saturday night(12/4).
The chaos in the vote count forced the police to fire warning shots into the air to control the supporters of each candidate who began to get provoked.
The residents then went to their home to pick up bows and arrows, returned to the field and held a war dance.
“Each of the warring camps had gathered to discuss their plans further,” Yoram added.
When contacted again this morning (Sunday, 13/4), Yoram said the tensions had subsided.
However, the solution to the problems had not been settled yet.
“Too many candidates do not want their votes to be diminished.” Yoram concluded. (Jubi/Indrayadi TH/Tina)
