Jakarta Police to Deploy 60 Officers to Guard Election Candidates

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Jakarta Metropolitan Police will deploy 60 policemen to guard the three pairs of candidates in the election fray for Jakarta governor and vice governorship. The election is scheduled for February 2017.

"Ten security men will guard each candidate. So a total of 60 police personnel will be sent to guard the six candidates," Jakarta Metropolitan Police Commands Chief, Inspector General Mochamad Iriawan, said on Monday.

He noted that these personnel will be drafted from various units in the command.

"They are trained people and coordination during campaigning will be easier. We hope candidates will feel secure and peaceful with the security plan," he observed.

Inspector General Mochamad Iriawan informed that the security cover would remain till the election is over.

Three pairs of candidates in the elections to the office of Jakarta governor and vice governor have been confirmed. Among them is incumbent governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama or Ahok, and vice governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat as his running mate.

The other pairs whose candidature has been confirmed are former education minister Anies Baswedan with businessman Sandiaga Uno as his running mate; and Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, a former military member and son of former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, with former civil servant Sylviana Murni as his running mate.

Jakartas General Election Commission has officially declared the three pairs of candidates after verifying that they meet all requirements as per law.

Ahok and Djarot are being supported by four political parties, namely, PDIP, Golkar, Nasdem and Hanura, while Anies and Sandiaga are backed by Gerindra and PKS parties, and last Agus and Sylviana backed by Democrat, PPP, PKB and PAN parties.

ANTARA