The crowd in Paniai damaged the ballot box due to misunderstanding
The mob who burned and damaged ballot boxes in Paniai misunderstood the completeness of the forms in election logistics.
This article has been translated using AI. See Original .
The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Massa di Paniai Rusak Kotak Suara karena Salah Paham
The destruction of election logistics for the 2024 Election in Paniai Regency, Central Papua, occurred on Monday (12/2/2024).
JAYAPURA, KOMPAS - The burning and dismantling of several ballot boxes for the 2024 General Elections in Paniai Regency, Central Papua, is believed to have occurred due to a misunderstanding among the masses regarding the completeness of the logistics. The Central Papua General Elections Commission affirmed that there were no logistical shortages during the distribution process.
Chairwoman of Central Papua Election Commission, Jenifer Tabuni, conveyed that the destruction and vandalism that occurred on Monday (12/2/2024) was caused by the crowd's belief that there was cheating as a result of the disappearance of the C-Result form in the logistic series.
"We ensure that everything is complete in the ballot box. In addition, the masses are also duped by the issue that the C-Result form is fake because it does not have a hologram like in 2014 and 2019. However, for the 2024 election, it no longer uses holograms but instead uses barcodes," said Jenifer in a press conference in Nabire, Central Papua, on Tuesday."
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This press conference is in response to the circulation of a video depicting the burning and destruction of ballot papers during the distribution process in the Kebo District of Paniai. At the time, the masses claimed that the C-Result forms were taken away by polling station officials and members of political parties. Meanwhile, other instances of destruction were allegedly carried out in other districts, namely Yagai, Muye, and Aweida.
Central Papua KPU member Octovianus Takimai stated that there is a possibility that this misunderstanding has been disseminated by certain individuals who wish to obstruct the electoral process in Central Papua. Central Papua KPU and the Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) will investigate those who provoked this case.
On Monday (12/2/2024), there was an act of destruction to the logistics for the 2024 Election in Paniai Regency, Central Papua.
On the other hand, he also regrets the failure of the district-level election committee to provide education to the masses. He suspects that the committee members do not fully understand the technical changes in the logistics of the 2024 elections.
"Possible the officials at the lower level did not receive the bimtek (technical guidance) material to the fullest extent, so they cannot provide proper education to the public," said Octovianus.
Octovianus stated that currently the Central Papua Election Commission and the Central Papua Election Supervisory Board (Bawaslu) are still in the process of verifying the number of damaged ballot papers. However, they are still making efforts to ensure that the election can still be carried out according to schedule, namely on February 14, 2024.
"Next, we will ensure the amount of ballot damages with details in each polling station. Then, we will report to the central KPU for the possibility of postponing the election in several polling stations," he said.
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Another misunderstanding
Octovianus added that misunderstandings also occurred in other areas of Paniai, which led to the burning of the Baya Biru District Office. The burning, which took place on Sunday (11/2/2024), was allegedly due to the disappointment of the masses regarding the relocation of the polling stations to another district.
"Although there is no relocation of polling stations (TPS). This happened because the protested area has not completed the expansion process at the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri). Misunderstanding occurred again which led to the provoked masses," he said.
The burning of the Baya Biru District office in Paniai Regency, Central Papua, on Sunday (11/2/2024).
Next, we will ensure the amount of damaged ballot papers with details in each polling station. Then later we will report it to the central KPU for possible instructions to postpone elections in some polling stations.
In the same occasion, the Central Papua Bawaslu Chairman, Markus Madai, stated that as a result of the string of events in Paniai, the supervision and security of the electoral process in the area needs to be improved. He hopes that the security forces will take strict action against those who provoke unrest.
Meanwhile, the Head of Paniai Regional Police, Commissioner Abdus Syukur Felani, revealed that his team is currently investigating thoroughly a number of individuals who provoked the burning incident.
"In addition, (the burning) also occurred due to complaints against the absent District Head and problems with the payment of wood for the construction of the district office also becoming the main trigger," he said.
