Election criteria<\/p>\n
Luber is a Javanese word denoting the spilling-over of liquid,
\nsuch as water, or milk, caused by filling a container up to the
\nvery brim. In a way the word has a positive connotation, showing
\nthat the liquid is in great abundance.<\/p>\n
In the political parlance of Indonesia, where people seem to
\nhave acquired thriftiness with words (hopefully reflecting a
\ngrowing consciousness of the value of time), 'luber' is the popular
\nacronym for 'langsung' (direct), 'umum' (general), 'bebas' (free) and
\n'rahasia' (secret).<\/p>\n
Under that \"magic\" acronym, there seems to be a hidden wish
\nthat the results of elections to the legislature will bring well-
\nbeing and prosperity to the people. For the benefit of those who
\nmight be too busy to memorize the four words (they are
\npronounceable, though) of the acronym, here are their meanings in
\na nutshell. Direct: the act of casting a ballot by the voter
\nhimself; general: for all citizens who are not deprived of the
\nright by the law; free: from coercion, direct or indirect,
\nphysical or non-physical and secret: only the voter himself has
\nknowledge of the political party he votes for.<\/p>\n
Of late, however, with the general election coming up next
\nyear, some people, or to be more exact, some politicians, have
\ncome to realize, much belatedly, that the acronym stands only for
\nthe act of casting ballots. They realize that another acronym has
\nbeen conspicuously lacking, namely: 'jurdil', standing for 'jujur'
\nand 'adil', or fair and just. They have stressed that the two
\nprinciples should be incorporated in the existing election law.
\nAccordingly, all parties concerned, namely voters, the bodies
\norganizing the election, the government and the three political
\norganizations should work for the achievement of a just and fair
\ngeneral election.<\/p>\n
Necessary criteria should obviously be established upon which
\na general election can be judged just and fair. It is clear
\nbeyond doubt that the four words represented by the acronym are
\namong, but not the only criteria. A fair and just election is
\nrelative, however. One main prerequisite is that people should
\nhave an adequate degree of literacy and free access to
\ninformation. This obviously is only one of the conditions for
\ngeneral elections to proceed in a just, fair and orderly manner.<\/p>\n
International media usually use the two words just and fair,
\nor otherwise, to describe general elections in developing
\ncountries. In western democratic countries, just and fair
\nelections are taken for granted; the media quite rarely, if ever,
\nbothers to make a judgment on their fairness and justness. The
\nreasons for this are many and already well-known. One of them
\nseems to be the fact that infractions of election laws and
\nregulations could be considered criminal acts.<\/p>\n
Can we take just and fair elections for granted in Indonesia?
\nCertainly anyone can answer that for himself. As citizens of a
\ndemocratic country, we all are committed to just and fair
\nelections. No sophistry, however \"cunning\", could convince the
\npeople that the two principles are useless and redundant. Not a
\nsingle Indonesian would oppose a just and fair election.<\/p>\n
Whether the law on elections will eventually be revised to
\ninclude the two principles or not, it is our cherished common
\nwish to see that next year's election be judged fair and just.
\nTo the question of whether the incorporation of these words into
\nthe existing law is imperative, the answer should be left to
\neveryone's conscience. Politics has its own conscience.<\/p>\n
In conclusion, two points could be raised. Why should voting
\nbe secret? It seems that the principles of secrecy and freedom
\nare contradictory. The answer would be that secrecy would keep
\nthe voting free. Well, but would the principle implied assume
\nthat a voter should be aware that voting might have unpleasant
\nconsequences for him? Why should he be afraid? After all, the
\nthree political organizations are legally founded and they are
\nlegal participants and partners in the \"feast of democracy\",
\nanother term for general elections in the local political
\nparlance.<\/p>\n
Another point we must always keep in mind is that general
\nelections, whether national or regional, concern the political
\nrights of Indonesian citizens.<\/p>\n
SOEGIO SOSROSOEMARTO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/election-criteria-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }