Numerous Obstacles Delay Voting in 1,297 Polling Stations in Papua

According to the Papua Regional Police, 1,297 polling stations (TPS) in Papua Island did not hold the 2024 General Election voting, which should have taken place on Wednesday (February 14, 2024).

These polling stations with delayed voting are spread across Central Papua Province (1,172 TPS), Highland Papua Province (91 TPS), and Papua Province (34 TPS).

According to the Papua Police Chief, Mathius D. Fakhiri, the postponement of the 2024 General Election in a number of these polling stations was due to various obstacles.

"In Mamberamo Raya (Papua Province), there are 4 districts that haven't voted because there are no helicopters to transport the logistics there," said Mathius in his press release on Thursday (February 15, 2024).

There were also several areas hampered by incidents of ballot box damage, and obstacles due to the "noken" system, a special election mechanism implemented in 12 regencies in Papua.

Unlike general elections—where one person can cast one vote—in the Papua noken system, the votes of certain community groups are represented by one person based on mutual agreement.

"This noken system is rife with the potential for social conflict. Like in Puncak Jaya, there was a tug-of-war over mass votes, so (voting) could not be carried out," said Mathius.

However, the Papua Police Chief stated that there were no disturbances from armed groups during the 2024 General Election.

(See also: Floods and Damaged Logistics, 668 Polling Stations Potentially Participate in Supplementary Elections)