While Indian Opposition Demands Return Of Ballot Paper, 272 Poll Officials Die In Indonesia Counting It

Ten days after Indonesia held the world’s biggest single-day elections, more than 270 election workers in Indonesia have died, mostly of fatigue-related illnesses caused by long hours of work counting millions of ballot papers by hand, BBC reported quoting the spokesman of the country’s General Elections Commission (KPU).

Arief Priyo Susanto, spokesman of the General Elections Commission (KPU), also stated that 1,878 other staff members had fallen ill.

Close to seven million workers are helping count and monitor the 17 April vote. Staff were expected to work in gruelling working condition braving sweltering heat, which took a hefty physical toll on many.

Over 80 per cent of the total 193 million voters cast their votes in the elections and had to punch up to five ballot papers in more than 800,000 polling stations.

Indonesia combined the presidential vote with national and regional parliamentary ballots, in order to save money.

Most of the casualties were identified as temporary election staff, who unlike civil servants, do not undergo a medical examination before getting involved in electioneering work.

Nikki Asian Review reported that Indonesia's election commission plans to compensate surviving families 36 million rupiah (£1,930; $2,500) for every deceased worker - roughly equivalent to one year's pay at minimum wage.

Critics say the government was not prudent to combine the elections and create unrealistic expectations from temporary staff.

Both President Joko Widodo and opposition presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto have declared their own victory, though quick counts suggested Widodo won the election by around 9-10 percentage points.

Prabowo alleged widespread cheating and his campaign claimed some officials punched ballots in favour of incumbent president Joko Widodo. Widodo’s supporters have rubbished these allegations.

The KPU will finish vote counting and announce winners of the presidential and parliamentary elections on 22 May.