Papuan students run amok in Yogyakarta

Fri, 04/10/2009 1:39 PM | Election 2009

YOGAYAKARTA: The Yogyakarta provincial general elections commission (KPUD) has decided to rerun the legislative elections for hundreds of Papuan students who rioted after not being allowed to vote Thursday.

The protesters launched an attack onpolice stationed at the KPUD building and damaged several flower vases after failing to find polling stations where they could vote. Several staff at the building fled after protesters aimed their arrows at them.

KPUD chairwoman Any Rohyati said voting for the Papuan students was suspended until Friday morning, after getting approval from the General Elections Commission (KPU) in Jakarta.

The rioters dispersed after being informed that a special polling station would be set up at the KPUD compound to allow more than 520 Papuan students to vote. -JP