Papua police chief on neutrality of local election

Political neutrality of Papua police

Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) – Papua regional police chief, Inspector General Paulus Waterpauw, has asked all personnel to observe political neutrality in the 2020 regional head elections, which are scheduled to be held simultaneously in December this year.

His directive follows a telegram letter from the National Police Chief, General Idham Azis, number STR / 800 / XI / HUK.7.1 / 2020, dated November 20, 2020.

“The National Police Chief, General Idham Azis, issued a secret telegram addressed to all police personnel. The telegram contained an order to maintain neutrality during the simultaneous 2020 Regional Head Elections,” Waterpauw said in a statement received here on Monday.

In the telegram, the National Police Chief has prohibited personnel from posting photos or selfies on social media showing a thumbs-up sign or with two fingers forming the letter ‘V’, as that could potentially be used by certain parties to accuse the police of taking sides, he added.

Personnel have also been directed not to take photos with prospective regional head candidates, the masses, and sympathizers, he continued.

“The telegram letter reaffirms the standard rules [on kinds of conduct] that should not be practiced by all members of the National Police. The Police Chief’s instruction applies to everyone, in all positions or ranks,” he added.

He further said the letter is a follow-up of the chief of police’s order to police chiefs of regions that will hold simultaneous elections on December 9, 2020.

The Division of Profession and Internal Security (Propam) will conduct strict tiered surveillance of the conduct of members of the police, Waterpauw informed.

The police chief’s telegram is also a means of preventing politicization by both members of the National Police and election participants, he observed.

“With the telegram, the Police Propam Division will enforce the law on all members who are trying to strum the order during the elections. So that whenever there is a violation, the Propam Division will be objective,” he explained.

The Papua police chief added that so far, preparations for the simultaneous regional elections in 11 districts of Papua province have run safely and smoothly.

He said he hopes the masses and the campaign teams of candidate pairs in each region will abide by the rules. Should there be any dissatisfaction over the results at any stage of the elections, parties should resort to legal channels rather than gathering in large crowds, considering the COVID-19 pandemic, he added.

Eleven districts are scheduled to hold polls in Papua in December — Yahukimo, Merauke, Keerom, Mamberamo Raya, Bintang Peg. , Boven Digoel, Supiori, Nabire, Yalimo, Asmat, and Waropen. (INE)

Source of Political neutrality of Papua police news: ANTARA NEWS