Inp.polri.go.id - Padang.  The Chief of West Sumatra Regional Police, Inspector General  Suharyono, led a deployment parade to safeguard the voting process for the 2024 Elections at various polling stations across the province on Monday (12/2/2024), He emphasized the critical role of securing the polling stations to ensure the smooth and secure conduct of the voting and vote-counting processes. "A total of 4,573 police personnel will be involved in securing the polling stations, comprising 1,141 personnel from the West Sumatra Police and 3,432 personnel from various sub-regional police stations," said Chief Suharyono. He addressed the challenges faced in securing the polling stations, including their remote locations, inadequate transportation infrastructure, such as sea, river, and traditional modes of transport.  In addition, lack of electricity and internet access in some polling stations, along with the issue of 79,404 voters who are yet to obtain electronic ID cards, locally knows as e-KTP, posed challenges. Moreover, natural disasters pose additional threats, including rain, floods, landslides, volcanic eruptions, tornadoes, storms, and earthquakes, Chief Suhartoyo said. To address these challenges, security strategies include mapping and analyzing vulnerabilities at each polling station, deploying police personnel to each location, conducting patrols and surveillance in the vicinity of the polling station, coordinating with the Election Commission (KPU), the Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu), and relevant stakeholders, and conducting polling station security simulations. "I emphasize to all police personnel involved in securing the TPS to maintain neutrality and professionalism, carry out their duties responsibly, provide the best service to the public, and maintain a conducive security situation," Chief Suhartoyo said. (mg/mz/pr/nm)