Political Parties Urged To Ensure Peaceful Elections

Denpasar, Bali, Feb 4 (Antara) - Political parties on the island resort of Bali have been called upon to make the region conducive for the upcoming legislative and presidential elections, according to the police. "We are well prepared to maintain security and have called upon all political parties across Bali to make the region conducive for staging of elections," Bali Police Chief Inspector General Albertus Julius Benny Mokalu said on Tuesday. He has also reminded that the parties participating in the elections had to uphold their pledge for following the rules under the prevailing laws during the elections. But if there was a violation during the installation of campaign attributes, it would be the responsibility of the General Elections Commission and the General Elections Supervisory Board to regulate it, Mokalu stated. "We have also mapped out the areas that are potentially vulnerable to security disruptions during the elections by referring to previous election data," Mokalu noted. On the other hand, he said his party would also conduct raids to stop thuggery in a bid to ensure public security and order during the elections. The Bali Police Chief was of the opinion that the region had so far been peaceful because the local people had upheld their philosophy of Tri Hita Karana to maintain harmony between people and their God, people and people, and people and their environment. According to him, thousands of police personnel will be deployed to guarantee security in Bali prior to the elections. In addition to the heavy police presence, dialogues with all community leaders will be conducted and local traditional villages will be urged to avoid direct involvement in practical politics, and to keep the local defense forces from playing any role in the campaigns of various parties vying for seats during the election process.