Jayapura, Jubi – The Papua Police has published a vulnerability index for the General Election, indicating that 12 out of 29 regencies and cities in Papua are at risk of conflict during the upcoming elections on February 14, 2024.
The 12 regions identified in the index are Intan Jaya Regency, Dogiyai Regency, Deiyai Regency, Puncak Regency, Nduga Regency, Lanny Jaya Regency, Puncak Jaya Regency, Yahukimo Regency, Bintang Mountains Regency, Jayawijaya Regency, Tolikara Regency, and Yalimo Regency.
Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Mathius Fakhiri expressed concerns about the noken system, also known as the tie system, which is commonly used in certain areas of Central Papua and Mountainous Papua Provinces.
“This system often leads to conflicts and potential casualties because political actors can manipulate the remaining votes,” he said on Tuesday, July 11, 2023.
To ensure the safe and smooth conduct of the elections, Fakhiri emphasized the need to address this issue and proposed reducing the use of the noken system in the 2024 elections.
He also called for the local governments, General Election Commission, and Election Supervisory Board to have better control over the Permanent Voters List, as it frequently causes problems.
Finally, Fakhiri highlighted the importance of strict control over the Permanent Voters List because any changes to it could disrupt security. Ideally, he suggested implementing the One Man One Vote principle for the election. (*)
