The soldiers' deployment at polling stations is part of preventive measures to mitigate any security risk, Commander of the XVII/Cendrawasih Regional Military Command Major General Rudi Puruwito stated here on Thursday.
The vulnerable areas are located in the districts of Jayapura, Keerom, Mamberamo Raya, Waropen, and Kepulauan Yapen, he remarked, noting that 2,875 personnel from the army, air force, and navy are on standby to ensure election security.
Regarding election logistics delivery, Puruwito reiterated the TNI's readiness to assist the General Elections Commission (KPU) with transporting logistics to the regions holding repeat voting on August 6 if requested.
However, he advised the KPU not to rush the request as the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) needs time to prepare necessary aspects, including monitoring weather conditions.
Two pairs of candidates -- Benhur Tommy Mano-Constan Karma and Mathias Fakhiri-Aryoko Rumaropen -- are competing for the Papua governor and deputy governor positions, while four candidates are running for the Boven Digoel district head and deputy head roles.
A total of 759,959 registered voters will cast their ballots at 2,023 ballot booths for the upcoming gubernatorial election.
Meanwhile, the Papua police earlier announced the deployment of 8,884 personnel to secure repeat voting for the province's gubernatorial election in the city of Jayapura and eight districts.
The districts are Keerom, Sarmi, Mamberamo Raya, Supiori, Biak Numfor, Jayapura, Kepulauan Yapen, and Waropen.
The personnel, currently on standby for deployment in these nine regions during the repeat voting, have been recruited from the Indonesian Military (TNI), National Police (Polri), and Community Protection Unit (Linmas).
They will jointly secure all phases of the election, from the delivery of election logistics through to vote counting.
Related news: Authorities deploy 8,884 personnel for Papua's repeat voting
Translator: Evarukdijati, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Primayanti
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