Elections committee set up to run polls<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The General Elections Commission (KPU)
\nestablished on Tuesday a seven-member National Elections
\nCommittee (PPI) to run the general election scheduled for June 7.<\/p>\n
The seven members are Jakob Tobing of PDI of Struggle,
\nHasballah of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Djuhad Mahja of
\nthe United Development Party (PPP), Abdy Kusumanegara of the
\nUmmat Awakening Party (PKU), Sunarka of the Indonesian National
\nParty (PNI), Kasidi of the Solidarity for All-Indonesian Workers
\nParty (SPSI) and Anak Agung Oka Mahendra, a government
\nrepresentative.<\/p>\n
Jakob was also elected chairman of the committee, which will
\norganize the poll at the national level.<\/p>\n
Adi Andojo Sutjipto, a member of the KPU, said that according
\nto the law, the PPI members were selected from members of the
\nKPU. He also said the selection took place democratically.<\/p>\n
"I am proud of the democratic process."<\/p>\n
The committee's members and executives will be sworn in by
\nGeneral Election Commission Chairman Rudini, but no date was
\ngiven.<\/p>\n
The 1999 law on general elections states that PPI's main tasks
\nare to establish its offices in provinces, regencies and
\nmayoralties, to draw up a list of legislative candidates, to run
\nthe elections and to count ballots.<\/p>\n
Adi also said the KPU completed on Tuesday deliberations on 25
\nof the planned 87 rulings on the elections commission and the
\nelections.<\/p>\n
Separately, Rudini said all regulations on electioneering and
\ncampaigning would have to be finished by April 1.<\/p>\n
"With the current system (in which 48 parties are contesting
\nthe poll) debates to reach a consensus will be very time
\nconsuming."<\/p>\n
"Sanctions for violators of the planned rules will be
\ndetermined by the Supreme Court," he added.<\/p>\n
The KPU is now handling technical problems relating to the
\nelection, such as the fact that some party logos will be
\nidentical if ballots are printed in black and white.<\/p>\n
"The symbol for Masyumi is identical to that of the Crescent
\nStar Party. But we cannot use color printing because it would
\ntake about 60 days to print. It's too long... black and white
\nprinting only takes 20 days," he said.<\/p>\n
Rudini, a former minister of home affairs, also said he
\npreferred KPU members not join campaigns or become legislators,
\nciting conflicts of interest.<\/p>\n
"KPU members have been assigned a five-year term. They are
\npaid well and given certain facilities, such as Kijang vans,
\noffices and other perks," he said.<\/p>\n
"It would not be fit during the era of reform for them also to
\nbecome legislators. There should be a fair distribution of power
\nand function among party members."<\/p>\n
Erna Witoelar, who is involved in poll monitoring activities,
\nagrees. She said the distribution of power was a precondition for
\na new and democratic Indonesia.<\/p>\n
"This is not an era of double or triple positions... because
\nit will create a concentration of power. My criticism goes to
\nmembers of political parties who are also ministers, such as
\nAkbar Tandjung and other high ranking officials." (edt\/rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/elections-committee-set-up-to-run-polls-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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