Computer network used to collect vote results<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The General Elections Commission (KPU) promises
\ntransparency in the ballot-counting process for the June 7
\nelections, with a plan to develop an integrated database network
\nto collect votes from all 327 regencies and a public information
\nservice.<\/p>\n
KPU deputy chairman Adnan Buyung Nasution said in a news
\nbriefing on Thursday the commission signed a cooperation with
\nseveral companies to set up the network. The system is expected
\nto be ready for operation a week ahead of the polls.<\/p>\n
\"The commission is launching this step because it wishes to
\nprovide an information technology facility in the ballot-counting
\nprocess so the public can monitor it throughout the 290,000
\nballoting sites across the country,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said the election commission, the election supervisory
\ncommittee, independent monitoring bodies, local and international
\nobservers and individuals could obtain information through the
\nnetwork. Any matters concerning the elections, including
\ncomplaints of vote rigging and manipulation, could be traced to
\nthe balloting sites.<\/p>\n
\"Manipulations which were prevalent during past elections are
\nexpected to be prevented in the coming elections,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Chairman of KPU subcommission C on the information system, Sri
\nBintang Pamungkas, said the vote collection would be conducted
\nthrough making use of the on-line information network of a
\nconsortium of banks in regencies and mayoralties.<\/p>\n
The system will be connected to a master computer at the KPU
\nbuilding. Ballot counting can be monitored directly and with real
\ntime, he said.<\/p>\n
A staff member of the KPU working team said the process of
\ncollecting votes from balloting sites and conveying them to the
\ncomputer center at the KPU building would take between three
\nhours and seven days after votes were cast.<\/p>\n
Bintang said the election commission would also provide an
\ninteractive voice\/fax response system (IVFR) and an Internet
\nhomepage to give the public access to data on results.<\/p>\n
\"With the IVFR system, the public can have access, through 900
\nphone lines available, to retrieve data directly in voice and
\nthrough facsimile. The public can also enter the KPU homepage
\nwith the password pemilu by dialing certain phone numbers that
\nwill be available in nine provincial capitals, including Medan,
\nJakarta, Surabaya, Ujungpandang and Manado,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Andi Alfian Mallarangeng, a member of the KPU subcommission,
\nacknowledged the collecting of votes in balloting sites and their
\ntransportation to regencies would remain vulnerable to
\nmanipulation.<\/p>\n
\"To minimize possibility of such manipulation, all balloting
\npapers will be stamped with serial numbers. In addition, the
\ntransportation of voting results from balloting sites to vote
\ncollecting groups in subdistricts and to election committees in
\nregencies must be conducted under a tight supervision,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He also said the International Foundation for Electoral System
\n(IFES) established a joint operation between the United States,
\nJapan and Australia. The three countries will set up an on-line
\ndatabase network covering election results from more than 4,500
\nsubdistricts across the country.<\/p>\n
The joint operation will have its network center at the
\nAryaduta Hotel in Jakarta and its work will be useful as a
\ncomparison for the results provided by the election commission,
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the election commission decided on Thursday that
\nthe 65 seats of the interest group faction at the People's
\nConsultative Assembly (MPR) will be distributed to religious
\ngroups (20 seats), independence fighters (five), small-scale
\nbusiness groups (nine), women's groups (five), intellectual
\ngroups (9), non-governmental organizations (five), civil servants
\ncorps (five), minority ethnics (five) and the handicapped (two).<\/p>\n
\"The legal mechanism of the appointment of the MPR faction
\nmembers will be set later,\" Andi said. (rms)<\/p>",
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