Jakarta. National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian has vowed to boost security measures for next year's regional polls, amid concerns over possible social conflicts.

"Political contest, for sure, will heat up the situation," Tito said on Thursday (12/10), regarding the simultaneous elections that will take place in 171 provinces, cities and districts.

Police have declared West Java, West Kalimantan and Papua the most conflict-prone regions, but according to Tito this is not definitive.

"The situation is dynamic and can change in just a few months. It must not turn into conflicts, let alone social disintegration," he told reporters in Jakarta.

Tito said police are teaming up with the military, the General Elections Commission (KPU), the Elections Supervisory Board (Bawaslu) and local governments in a "security campaign."

"This is for security, not for helping certain candidates win," Tito said, calling on all institutions concerned to remain neutral for the sake of the country's safety.

According to a KPU regulation, the 2018 polls will be held in June, after a four-month campaign period that begins in February. Indonesia's first ever simultaneous legislative and presidential polls will follow in 2019.