Activist insists KPU members must be credible<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): To save the General Election Committee (KPU)
\nfrom skepticism, the government must appoint individuals who are
\ncredible and respected by the country as its representatives in
\nthe body, the Movement for National Justice and Unity (GKPB)
\nurged on Friday.<\/p>\n
In a news conference here, GKPB coordinator Sarwono
\nKusumaatmadja warned that public confidence would quickly wane,
\nthus putting the election in jeopardy, if the government insists
\non appointing its functional bureaucrats to represent it in the
\nCommittee.<\/p>\n
\"Don't victimize a free and fair election by insisting on the
\nprinciple of functionality,\" said Sarwono, himself a former
\nGolkar secretary-general and government minister.<\/p>\n
Without mentioning names, Sarwono said retired officials could
\nbe a potential source of candidates.<\/p>\n
The Committee, to be set up once the temporary 11-member
\nGeneral Election Institute finishes verifying political parties'
\neligibility to contest the polls, will have the task of
\nformulating guidelines to oversee the running of the June 7
\npolls.<\/p>\n
Guidelines<\/p>\n
Among the guidelines will likely be campaign regulations and
\nrequirements for societal groups who wish to have representatives
\nin the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).<\/p>\n
The new Assembly will consist of the 500 House of
\nRepresentatives (DPR) members, 135 regional representatives
\nappointed by the provincial legislature and 65 representatives
\nfrom societal groups.<\/p>\n
According to the government's own schedule, the General
\nElection Committee should be established by March 1.<\/p>\n
Reports last week that the government had appointed active
\nofficials as its representatives to the Committee provoked a
\npublic outcry.<\/p>\n
Many fear a return to the past habit of poll rigging in an
\neffort to preserve the status quo.<\/p>\n
Public trust of bureaucrats is very low at present, Sarwono
\nsaid. \"Besides, there's actually no incentive at all for the
\ngovernment (to side with one party) given that many parties will
\ncontest the polls.\"<\/p>\n
GKPB also urged all independent electoral watchdogs to work
\ntogether to make the elections a success.<\/p>\n
It invited all existing monitoring committees, both
\ninternational and domestic, to jointly set up a chain of poll
\ninformation booths to educate voters.<\/p>\n
\"These information booths (set up in public places) will be an
\neffective means to familiarize people with the election laws,
\nvoting procedures, political parties and the work of the poll
\nwatchdog,\" the party said in a statement. (aan)<\/p>",
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