A mob set cars alight and damaged the Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) building in Mojokerto, East Java on Friday.

The riot took place while Mojokerto district head candidates were presenting their programs to the lawmakers. The angry mob were allegedly the supporters of a would-be district head candidate who did not pass the verification process.

According to Metro TV, the riot took place at 9 a.m. A throng of people threw molotov cocktail bombs to the DPRD building.

They also burned 17 cars belonging to the lawmakers and government officials, including the cars belonging to the town's major Abdul Gani and his deputy Mas'ud Yunus.

Smoke billowed up as flames raged through the parking lot. Locals tried to contain the fire until firemen arrived. The streets leading to the DPRD building were barricaded by the police.

The rioters said they demanded the cancellation of the Mojokerto's district head election, due to held on June 7 because there were a lot of violations in the process.

The police detained dozens of people involved in the mayhem. Some of them were taken to the police station and others were questioned inside the DPRD building. East Java Police Chief Insp. Gen. Pratiknyo went to Mojokerto and coordinated efforts with local police officials.