REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia's chief security minister Djoko Suyanto called for the maintenance of security in the country ahead of the legislative elections on April 9.

"National security condition in the country during the open rally period was conducive. I hope it will remain so until the presidential election on July 9," the coordinating minister for security, political and legal affairs said after meeting with the police chief and the chief of the General Elections Commission (KPU) at his office here on Monday.

He admitted that clashes had occurred, such as in Aceh, Yogyakarta and East Nusa Tenggara during the campaign rally period, but they had all been handled well so that they did not escalate.

"The initial stage had passed peacefully. For that, I give my highest appreciation to the police, KPU (general elections commission) and Bawaslu (general elections supervisory board)," he said.

He added that it happened because of the active participation of all sides, including political parties and community members.

"I hope it can be maintained. If problems emerge, I hope the parties concerned would refer them to the authorities and would not take the law into their own hands," he said.

Djoko said after the implementation of the legislative elections objections or disappointments may occur but he hoped they would be settled through the right mechanism according to the regulations.

"Avoid taking the law into your own hands or violence to settle them. I think the mechanism was in place. Protests can be referred to the police, the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, KPU and Bawaslu," he said.

That also applies to political parties who are not satisfied with the results of the elections, he added.

"I, the police chief, the chiefs of KPU and Bawaslu wish the principle to be respected. Avoid violence and taking the law into your own hands to assure a smooth implementation of elections," he said.

Djoko said leaders of political parties and community elements would appreciate the invaluable price of peace, brotherhood and unity.

"Refer all objections or protests to the right institutions through the right mechanism. This was the essence of the meeting that was held with the police chief and the KPU chief just now," he noted.

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