54 election workers, 15 police die in accidents during Indonesian polls

Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-22 19:55:39|Editor: Shi Yinglun
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JAKARTA, April 22 (Xinhua) -- The death toll of police and election workers has risen to 15 and 54 respectively as the vote counting process of the April 17 presidential vote is still underway.

Indonesia's General Elections Commission (KPU) Commissioner Viryan Aziz said on Monday that polling booth attendants died of exhaustion and road accidents after they carried out their duties in the elections.

"A total of 54 attendants were reported to have died and 32 others now are treated in hospitals," Viryan said, adding that the number could rise further.

Viryan expected the Health Ministry to provide free health service for attendants and other people involved in the ongoing vote.

Indonesia's Police Headquarters spokesperson Dedi Prasetyo said a total of 15 police died during their duties in ensuring the election and distribution of electoral necessities.

"They died in East Kalimantan, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, West Java, South Kalimantan, East Java, West Nusa Tenggara, Jakarta and South Sulawesi," Dedi said on Monday, adding that they died of exhaustion or road accidents while transporting electoral necessities to polling booths in remote areas.

The general election was a major political event in Indonesia as 192 million eligible voters chose the president, vice president and members of central and regional parliaments.

The incumbent candidate President Widodo has won 54.5 percent of votes, according to the unofficial "quick count" results, while his rival, the former army general Prabowo Subianto gained 45.5 percent vote.

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