Jakarta – Presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto claims that he has received information about plans to tamper with ballots during the 2024 general election, one method of which is by damaging ballot papers.

"We have heard reports that there is a scheme to sabotage the ballot papers. So, after casting your vote, keep an eye and pay attention. Don't let the ballot papers be damaged," Prabowo said on Sunday during a campaign event in Semarang, Central Java, as quoted by Antara. He did not name which group or individuals were behind the alleged scheme.

Habiburokhman, the deputy chairman of the Prabowo-Gibran Rakabuming Raka national campaign team, claimed that he was informed of a meeting held in a Central Java hotel recently involving a political party leader and election organizers.

The meeting discussed strategies to address their coalition's lagging position in the province, with plans allegedly devised to damage Prabowo-Gibran ballots using nails during the ballot count.

Prabowo then urged the public not only to vote but also to monitor the vote-counting process on election day on Feb. 14.

"After voting, don't go home, wait until the count is finished," said Prabowo.

Habiburokhman said Central Java, along with East Java, had a large number of voters. He expressed his concerns that the national vote count would be affected if the alleged fraud was carried out in "a systematic and widespread" manner.

"We urge the public to be vigilant for any form of fraud. On polling day, make sure there are no nails on the local poll administrators' [KPPS] desk that could be used to damage the ballot papers," said Habiburokhman.

Source: https://www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/2024/02/02/prabowo-warns-of-ballot-tampering-on-feb-14.htm