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Mayoral Revote Set For Sunday In South Tangerang
Arientha Primanita | February 24, 2011

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South Tangerang is ready to hold a repeat of its mayoral election this weekend, officials there said on Thursday.

The Constitutional Court in December invalidated the results of the Nov. 13 mayoral election after finding evidence of widespread polling violations. A revote was ordered for this Sunday.

Iman Perwira Bachsan, the head of the South Tangerang Election Commission (KPUD), said preparations were nearly 100 percent complete.

“All the logistical [equipment] has been distributed to the seven subdistricts and today would be distributed to the 54 urban wards up to Saturday,” he said.

Iman said the KPUD and South Tangerang administration had coordinated with the Tangerang Police and South Jakarta Police to provide some 2,000 personnel to safeguard the election.

The Nov. 13 election, South Tangerang’s first since it became an autonomous city in October 2008, saw Airin Rachmi Diany, the sister-in-law of Banten Governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah, proclaimed the winner with 188,833 votes — just 1,055 more than her nearest rival, Arsid, a former subdistrict head of Serpong and Pamulang.

Arsid and his running mate, comedian Andre Taulany, challenged the results, citing rampant vote-buying, illegal campaigning and flawed voter lists.

On Dec. 10 the Constitutional Court ruled that there was “overwhelming” evidence to support the allegations against Airin and ordered a rerun. However, Airin has been allowed to contest Sunday’s election.

Meanwhile, Sarono Budihardjo, who heads the city’s Elections Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu), said it was investigating several complaints of alleged irregularities and campaign violations.

Sarono cited the discovery of around 80 voter names registered to one address in the East Ciputat ward. He added that the committee was looking into reports of a neighborhood head distributing instant noodle packages emblazoned with campaign ads.

Sarono said the committee had also sent letters to city administrative offices calling on all public servants to abstain from campaigning for any candidates.

“We learned a lot from last year’s election and we will make sure that everything is conducted based on fairness and procedures,” he said.

KPUD member Nasrullah said the budget for the revote stood at Rp 12.9 billion ($1.4 million).

He said the KPUD was taking steps to ensure ballots would only be distributed to valid voters at polling stations.