M. Azis Tunny, Ambon – Hundreds of angry supporters of losing candidates in Ambon city's first direct election staged a protest Wednesday at the Ambon General Elections Commission (KPUD) office, accusing that Monday's election results were invalid.

Carrying banners which condemned the incumbent mayor MJ Papilaja, who gained the most votes in the provisional vote tally at the KPUD, the protesters accused the mayor of smeared campaigns that encouraged conflict among Muslims and Christians.

"Papilaja has stirred up Muslims and Christians in Ambon by distributing illegal fliers to win the election... We want security and peace, don't trick us into creating conflict. We'll take his campaign team to court," charged Yusril Mahedal, one of the protesters, in his speech.

The protesters claimed to be the supporters of candidates Richard Louhenapessy-Syarif Hadler, Made Rachman Marasabessy-Aloysius Leisubun and Hendrik Hattu-Iskandar Walla.

Yusril asserted that the election was marred by violations and the results should be ignored.

The protesters also condemned the quick count result which was conducted by the Indonesia Survey Circle (LSI) which also showed Papilaja as the probable winner in the election.

"We want KPUD to kick LSI out of Ambon because its vote counting result has upset the people. Their announcement was a public lie, we aren't buying it," Yusril said.

KPUD chief P.P. Tabalessy said the election was conducted according to procedure and told dissatisfied candidates to take the matter to court.

Despite the protest, provisional vote counting at KPUD on Wednesday still showed Papilaja had gained 44,900 votes of the overall 130,352 votes being counted.

This was followed by running mates Louhenapessy-Hadler with 36,718 votes, Hattu-Walla with 19,952 votes, Marasabessy-Leisubun with 17,955 votes and Jhon Malaiholo-Irma Betaubun with 10,827 votes.