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West Irian Jaya voters defy violent threats

Source
Jakarta Post - March 12, 2006

Hyginus Hardoyo, Manokwari, West Irian Jaya – Eligible voters in West Irian Jaya crowded polling stations Saturday, ignoring threats of violence if the gubernatorial election in the disputed province went ahead.

Voting proceeded peacefully in Manokwari, the capital of the newly established province, and other regencies. Because Saturday was declared a public holiday, the only activity in much of the region seemed to be around the voting booths.

Long lines were seen at most of the polling stations as people waited to cast ballots for the fist governor and deputy governor of the province. Business in the province ground to a halt with shop-houses and other traditional markets closed.

Agus Alue Alua, chairman of the Papuan People's Assembly, representing Papuans opposed to the election, said in Jakarta on Thursday that many people in the area were prepared to fight the establishment of the province. "Tribespeople and students in Sorong and Manokwari will take up arms to thwart the election," Agus said.

However, this threat failed to materialize and there were no reports of violence Saturday. Talk of a bloodbath had already been played down by political leaders in West Irian Jaya and tribal leaders.

Voting took place from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. in eight regencies – Sorong, South Sorong, Raja Empat, Fak-Fak, Kaimana, Manokwari, Teluk Bintuni and Teluk Wondama – - as well as Sorong mayoralty.

According to data from the West Irian Jaya General Elections Commission (KPUD), of a population of about 647,000 there were at least 406,314 eligible voters.

Three pairs of candidates are contesting the election. They are Abraham Octovianus Atururi and Rahimin Katjong; Yorrys Th. Raweyai and Abdul Killian; and Dortheus Asmuruf and M. Ali Kastela. Manokwari Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Petrus Waine said the situation was calm and there were no incidents during the election. He said he deployed 606 police officers to watch over the voting in the regency.

"Don't try and pit people against each other," he said, warning parties from attempting to disrupt the polls.

As of 6:30 p.m. Saturday, only a small number of ballots had been sent to the KPUD's office in Manokwari for counting.

Abraham and Rahimin took an early lead in the provisional count, with 23,313 votes from South Sorong, Raja Empat, Fak-Fak, Kaimana, Manokwari and Sorong mayoralty. In second were Dortheus and Ali with 7,260 votes, while Yorrys and Abdul Killian were third with 6,801 votes.

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