Jakarta – At least 600 "money politics" cases have been reported ahead of the Feb. 15 simultaneous elections in 101 regions across the country, and more and more as the elections near, Indonesia's Election Supervisory Agency, or Bawaslu, announced on Tuesday (14/02).

"Money politics" are cases when politicians give out cash or goods – usually staple foods – to curry favor from voters.

There were a "massive" number of money politics cases observed during the three-day "quiet period" before the elections that started on Sunday, Bawaslu Chairman Muhammad said.

"According to reports we received, there were so many [money politics cases] and they happened in nearly all the regions [taking part in the election]," Muhammad said in Jakarta.

The Bawaslu is investigating whether or not the cash and goods giveaways are linked to candidates in the elections. "If we found evidence linking them with money politics, we will use our authority to disqualify them, even if they had won," Muhammad said.

Millions of Indonesians in seven provinces, 18 cities and 76 cities across the country are set to go to the polls on Wednesday.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.id/news/hundreds-money-politics-cases-reported-ahead-regional-elections/