25 Jan 2006

Hold off governor election, say most districts in Indonesian province of Papua

4:58 pm on 25 January 2006

A report in Indonesia says only nine of Papua's 20 regencies are ready to hold an election for the regional governor on February 16th.

The Jakarta Post reports 11 regencies have requested a postponement of the direct gubernatorial election.

General Elections Commission chairman Marthen Ferry Kareth said regencies along the southern coast were not prepared to hold the polls because transport is difficult in the rainy season.

Overland transportation in these areas is hindered during the current rainy season, while travel by sea is risky because of high waves caused by stormy weather, he said.

Election officials are scheduled to start sending out election materials to the 20 regencies on Friday.