Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian General Election Commission (KPU) has made plans to notify the police of a hoax spread on the result of preliminary election abroad since it is viewed as being a gross violation.

“We will reconsider if we will go ahead with the plan, as we had initially made plans to report the matter today (Thursday),” KPU Commissioner Hasyim Asy’ari remarked here, Thursday.

Asy’ari has dismissed the hoax being spread on social media regarding the result of the preliminary election abroad, saying it lacked truth, as the official vote count process will only kick off on Apr 17 in line with the schedule in Indonesia.

People in Yemen cast their ballot on Monday, while those in Panama and Ecuador exercised their franchise on Tuesday, and the Thai people went to vote on Wednesday.

The overseas election committee held voting today in three countries centered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan; Tehran, Iran; and Vientiane, Laos.

The committee will ensure that the ballot box is secured and the police will stand guard, with sealing and monitoring under CCTV surveillance while awaiting the planned vote counting on Apr 17 local time.

KPU Chairman Arief Budiman had earlier expressed hope that the police would promptly apprehend those behind spreading the hoax of the vote count results abroad.

“We, in fact, do not have adequate resources to deal with this case, as we are already tied down with making preparations and taking steps towards ensuring the smooth implementation of the elections,” Budiman explained.

The overseas election is being held from Apr 8 until Apr 14, taking into account the time difference with Indonesia. EDITED BY INE

Translator: Azizah Fitriyanti, Safira Hali
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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