Electing our local leaders<\/p>\n
In just over a month, Indonesians will begin witnessing and
\nparticipating in a series of elections for local chief
\nexecutives. This will mark the beginning of an almost perpetual
\ncycle of elections in this country to elect governors, mayors and
\nregents.<\/p>\n
The advent of local elections is a giant step forwards on the
\nlong road toward a truly democratic society. If local autonomy --
\nintroduced in 2001 -- provided the starting point and runup to
\nthis endeavor, the elections will determine how far the nation
\nhas come along the path to achieving this laudable goal.<\/p>\n
Hence the upcoming local elections should be viewed as part of
\nthe nation's continuing effort to return sovereignty to the
\npeople.<\/p>\n
By itself, regional autonomy does little for the people. It
\nmerely transfers raw power from the hands of unscrupulous
\npoliticians in Jakarta to even more unscrupulous opportunists at
\nthe local level. However, what local elections will do is to
\nprovide some measure of safeguard as regards the management of
\nthat power.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, local elections provide the most transparent
\nmedium for gauging the wants and wishes of the public.<\/p>\n
For too long, citizens far removed from Jakarta's corridors of
\npower have been treated with condescension. Like unwanted orphans
\nwho need to be told what is best for them.<\/p>\n
Regional autonomy and direct local elections should put an end
\nto this unbalanced relationship. They represent a significant and
\ncomplicated change for those used to absolute power at the
\ncenter, but it is a change that needs to take place.<\/p>\n
With just weeks remaining before the elections begin, the
\nprophets of doom are busy pointing to every single deficiency in
\nthe poll preparations and infrastructure.<\/p>\n
There are certainly a multitude of failings that should have
\nbeen dealt with by now. Even before the process had begun, we
\nalready knew that the system that had been put in place left a
\nlot to be desired.<\/p>\n
For example, it is doubtful that the voters will be able to
\ntruly gauge the quality and promises of the candidates given the
\nlimited time set aside for campaigning, and the lack of media
\navailable for disseminating substantive campaign issues -- other
\nthan facile posters and flags.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta-based political parties also continue to enjoy a
\nmonopoly, with no recourse available to independent candidates.<\/p>\n
Lack of control over abuses and the prevalence of money
\npolitics are other latent dangers.<\/p>\n
All these give rise to worries, and must be addressed and
\ncorrected. Vigilance must be maintained so that the effort is not
\nruined by an unscrupulous few.<\/p>\n
But we should also be wise enough to understand that there is
\nno such thing as a perfect system. Shortcomings will occur,
\nwhether by accident or design, even in an ideal system.<\/p>\n
The fact that the staging of local elections is a completely
\nnew undertaking here suggests that there will, indeed, be
\ndeficiencies.<\/p>\n
Rather than complaining, however, we believe that the
\nchallenges before us should be met with vigor, foresight and a
\npositive spirit. It is a benevolent undertaking, the benefits of
\nwhich will be plentiful, albeit late in coming.<\/p>\n
We should embrace the coming local leadership elections in the
\nway that one would embark on a new career or a marriage --
\npitfalls lie in wait, yet the end result should be worth the
\neffort.<\/p>\n
Adjustments should be made along the way -- fine tuning
\ncarried out based on the lessons learned over time.<\/p>\n
The most vulnerable element as we set out on this initial
\nstage of our democratic history at the local level concerns the
\ndegree of accuracy and accountability displayed by local
\nelection commissions (KPUD). Even with shortcomings, if
\nconfidence in the electoral process and its overseers is
\nmaintained, voters will likely respect and accept the results of
\nthe polls.<\/p>\n
But once distrust as regards the work of the KPUDs emerges,
\nconfidence in the polls will evaporate, and doubt will reign over
\ntheir results. In such circumstances, whosoever is elected will
\nbe dogged by questions of political legitimacy.<\/p>\n
This in turn will only lead to an erosion in our trust in
\ndemocracy.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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