RIAU PROVINCE SHORT OF 67,200 BALLOTS

Pekanbaru, March 29 (ANTARA) - Riau Province was short of 67,200 ballots for the legislative general election in Indragiri Hulu district, because of the floods which attacked the region several days ago.

Edi Sabli, chairman of the logistics working body of the General Election Commission (KPU) of Riau Province, made the remark in Pekanbaru on Sunday.

"We have already sent some KPU staff of Riau to Jakarta to ask for a replacement of the damaged ballots. But till now, we have yet to receive confirmation whether the damaged ballots could be replaced," he said.

Edi said that his side hoped for an early reply from Central KPU (General Election Commission) office on the ballot replacement because of the nearing deadline of April 1.

However, his side remained optimistic that the Central KPU office will replace the damaged ballots.

"Our target is that one day before the election, all the ballots papers have been should already be in pace at all polling the stations," he said.

According to him, everything with regard to the damaged ballots is under the authority of the KPU headquarters..

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