Elections hold hope and reform<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): With the many encouraging changes that have
\noccurred since the demise of the New Order regime, one foreign
\nobserver expects this year's general election to generate reform
\nin Indonesian politics.<\/p>\n
Eric Bjornlund, a senior associate and director of the Asian
\noffice of the Washington-based National Democratic Institute for
\nInternational Affairs (NDI), said here on Thursday that the legal
\nframework for the country's political institutions has seen
\nsubstantial reform.<\/p>\n
\"New, independent election authorities have been established.
\nAnd for the first time, Indonesian elections will take place
\nunder the watch of independent, nonpartisan domestic and
\ninternational election observers,\" he told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
The international community's interest in these transitional
\nelections is shown by the presence of observers from the European
\nUnion, the United States, Australia, Japan, and the Association
\nof Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) among other countries.<\/p>\n
Apart from NDI, international organizations sending
\ndelegations include the Asian Network for Free and Fair Elections
\n(Anfrel), the National Citizens Movement for Free Elections
\n(Namfrel) from the Philippines, the Carter Center and the
\nSolidarity Center, both from the U.S., and the Australia Council
\nfor Overseas Aid.<\/p>\n
Bjornlund said the fact that most government controls on the
\norganization of political parties and press restrictions were
\nlifted last year indicated the elections would be more democratic
\nand fair.<\/p>\n
However, he urged the General Elections Commission (KPU) and
\nthe Election Supervisory Committee (Panwaslak) to perform well,
\nfairly and accurately.<\/p>\n
\"After years of autocratic rule and 'crony capitalism', it is
\nthese institutions and practices that reflect the hopes and
\naspirations of the Indonesian people,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"It's clear that the June 1999 elections in Indonesia will not
\nbe perfect. The people of Indonesia will judge whether, despite
\nthe imperfections, they have been able to express their choices
\nfreely and whether these choices are then reflected in the
\ncomposition of their representatives and the development of their
\npolitical institutions.\"<\/p>\n
Flaws<\/p>\n
Bjornlund noted the existing flaws in the electoral laws,
\nwhich he said could trigger people's dissatisfaction.<\/p>\n
\"The new laws governing the elections, political parties and
\nthe structure of the legislatures passed by the House of
\nRepresentatives (DPR) in January, often establish only basic
\nprinciples and leave the details to be determined by the election
\ncommission or other bodies,\" he said.<\/p>\n
However, he said, since the election commission was formed in
\nearly March it has moved slowly to fill these gaps.<\/p>\n
\"There is apprehension that the new system continues to
\nunfairly benefit the current regime,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said some serious gaps were found in the election
\nregulations and associated documents. He mentioned flaws in the
\nelectoral system, the election of functional representatives to
\nthe People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), and the complaints and
\nappeals institutions.<\/p>\n
\"The retention of seats reserved for the military and the
\nrestricted constituencies that will select the MPR's 65
\nfunctional group representatives are the most conspicuous
\nshortcomings in the political institutions,\" he said, adding that
\nthe composition of the MPR would, therefore, not necessarily
\nreflect the election results.<\/p>\n
Concerning the ongoing election campaign, he said there has
\nbeen little debate on solutions to the economic and social crisis
\nthe country is facing.<\/p>\n
\"Much of the campaign appears to revolve around open public
\nrallies and parades of decorated trucks, cars and motorcycles,\"
\nhe said. \"This style of campaigning, intended to demonstrate mass
\nsupport, brings with it many complaints of intimidation,
\nharassment and infringement of the law.\"<\/p>\n
Eric, however, said it would be impossible for NDI to monitor
\nall of the election activities because it would place only 100
\nobservers across Indonesia, although not in East Timor.<\/p>\n
He said NDI would cooperate with a number of Indonesian non-
\ngovernmental organizations, university-based networks and other
\ncivil society groups in monitoring the election process,
\nincluding the balloting and the vote-counting. (imn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/elections-hold-hope-and-reform-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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