Fast action promised for poll violations<\/p>\n
Moch. N. Kurniawan and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Election Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu), the Attorney
\nGeneral's Office and the National Police signed an agreement on
\nThursday to ensure speedy investigation into and prosecution in
\ncases of electoral violations.<\/p>\n
The agreement stated that a speedy investigation and
\nprosecution was imperative to cope with possible violations in
\nthe 2004 elections, which will run in several stages.<\/p>\n
The speedy investigation is expected to ensure that the
\nelection schedule runs smoothly, which \"is expected to take place
\namid a hostile political situation,\" the agreement says.<\/p>\n
Under the agreement an indictment must be made 72 days after
\nan alleged violation is reported to Panwaslu. In the past
\nelections many reports of violations were never investigated.<\/p>\n
According to the agreement, Panwaslu must obtain reports on
\nelectoral violations seven days at the most after they occur. If
\nPanwaslu considers that a case fits the criteria of an electoral
\nviolation, it must submit the report to the police within seven
\ndays after obtaining the report.<\/p>\n
The police must investigate the case within 30 days after
\nPanwaslu submits the report and hand it over to the prosecutors
\nwithin seven days after the investigation is completed.<\/p>\n
The prosecutors must file an indictment against the
\nperpetrators within 14 days of obtaining the police report.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Chief Justice Bagir Manan, who witnessed the
\nagreement signing, told reporters the Supreme Court would soon
\nissue a regulation that would enable a speedy trial of violations
\nof the Elections Law.<\/p>\n
\"We would assign special judges to hear such cases,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The court is proposing that a case is heard by one judge,
\ninstead of three as in criminal or civilian cases.<\/p>\n
Bagir added that a violation which carries a light sentences
\nof less than an 18-month jail term would be heard in a district
\ncourt, while violations that carry heavier sentences would be
\nheard in the high court.<\/p>\n
\"The verdict is final, no appeals,\" he said, quoting Law No.
\n13\/2003 on elections.<\/p>\n
However, Bagir questioned whether a convict may ask the
\nSupreme Court to review the conviction, given that the current
\nElections Law fails to provide for such a scenario.<\/p>\n
Bagir also explained that suspects in cases that are not
\nstipulated in the Elections Law, would be charged under the
\nCriminal Code.<\/p>\n
Panwaslu Chairman Komaruddin Hidayat said that Panwaslu has so
\nfar reported 20 cases involving electoral violations across the
\ncountry. Three of the cases have been heard in courts.<\/p>\n
\"This agreement only ensures the efficient settlement of cases
\ninvolving electoral violations,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Earlier in the day, Panwaslu deputy chairman Saut H. Sirait
\nwarned political parties not to make an early start in the
\nelection campaign by flying their flags and banners or displaying
\ntheir symbols and names to the public. The election campaign will
\nonly take place between March 11 and April 1.<\/p>\n
\"We will give them until Dec. 28 to take down their flags that
\nhave been installed in public places. Beyond that date, we will
\nreport it to the police as an electoral violation,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Currently, some of the 24 political parties which will contest
\nnext year's elections are flying their flags and banners in
\npublic places. Some of the banners display the pictures of their
\npresidential candidates.<\/p>\n
According to the Elections Law, the General Elections
\nCommission (KPU) and the government must regulate locations where
\npolitical parties can place their symbols during the campaign
\nperiod.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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