Plane carrying ballots skids off runway in Yahukimo, Papua

A light aircraft carrying ballots and other election materials skidded off the runway in Yahukimo regency in Papua on Friday, hindering the distribution of materials for 10 districts in the regency.

Flying from Dekai, the capital of Yahukimo regency, the Cessna 208 Caravan, which was also carrying four passengers and a pilot, including two members of the District Election Committee (PPD), skidded off the runway and into a trench while landing at Kwelamdua Airport on Friday.

Though 4,077 ballots for 12 polling stations in Kwelamdua district were secured, the aircraft belonging to Dinomin Air could not continue its journey to deliver more ballots for other districts in the regency.

"Although the aircraft has been pulled out of [the trench] and logistics have been secured, the aircraft was still unable to continue its journey due to bad weather," Yahukimo General Elections Commission (KPUD) secretary Ambekmi Kobak told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

Voting in 37 districts in Yahukimo had been moved to Saturday as ballot delivery was delayed.

"There are 10 districts that did receive materials. However, I cannot confirm whether voting in the 10 districts will be postponed pending a meeting," Ambekmi added.

Before delivering ballots for Kwelamdua district, the plane delivered ballots for Sumo district.

Source:   http://www.thejakartapost.com