Printing presses that reproduce ballots should be held responsible for damaged ballots found during logistics sorting in preparation of the April 9 legislative election, insisted East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) General Elections Commission (KPUD) head Johanes Depa.
“This is a commitment that both the KPU and the printing companies have agreed on from the very beginning, so there is nothing to worry about. They will replace the damaged ballots,” he said in Kupang on Wednesday, when asked about the high incidence of damaged ballots discovered during the sorting process in NTT.
Johanes received reports that 1,405 ballots were found damaged with ink stains and tears, 275 of which were to be used to vote for House of Representatives (DPR) candidates for the Kupang regency electoral district.
Another 780 damaged sheets were intended for the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) polls, while 127 more were slated for electing NTT Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) candidates.
Meanwhile, in North Timor Tengah regency, there is still a shortage of 600 ballots, which the printing companies must fulfill, with many more reported in other parts of NTT.
“Various regions in the province have reported so many problems relating to ballots, from incorrect quantities, tearing, misprints, even ones that had been pre-marked for particular candidates,” he said, as quoted by Antara News Agency.
Johanes added that the printing companies would take responsibility for damages due to technical factors, while the KPU and the printers would jointly replace those damaged by force majeure.
He hoped that all KPUD would report their findings immediately so that incidents like this could be addressed sooner.
Logistic issues have continued to spring up all over the country, despite the KPU having introduced safety measures ahead of the elections.
Source/Fuente: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/03/12/printers-should-replace-da...
