Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura | Archipelago | Thu, March 27 2014, 5:15 PM
The Papua General Elections Commission (KPUD) has requested backup from Indonesian National Military (TNI) headquarters in the form of a chopper to help with the distribution of logistical materials for the election.
“We have sent our formal request to the TNI commander. Hopefully we can use the resources in the near future because most of the regions here are hard to reach over land. We need to drop the logistical supplies by air,” Papua KPUD chief Adam Arisoy said on Thursday.
As many as 16 regencies in Papua are located in mountainous areas. They are namely Jayawijaya, Tolikara, Nduga, Puncak, Puncak Jaya, Lanny Jaya, Yalimo, Mamberamo Tengah, Yahukimo, Pegunungan Bintang, Intan Jaya, Dogiyai, Deyai, Paniai and Mimika.
Papua KPUD had previously planned to drop the logistical materials using commercial flights. However, given recent unstable weather conditions, it decided to request backup.
Adam said the distribution of the logistical supplies was expected to occur on April 8, just one day before the legislative election.