Intimidation reported in East Timor poll registration<\/p>\n
By Lourenco Vicente Martins<\/p>\n
DILI, East Timor (JP): The campaign here has remained
\nrelatively safe and although flags and banners may be less
\nplentiful than in other cities across the country, none of the 15
\nparties here has complained of discrimination.<\/p>\n
Particularly lively campaigning has been held by the Golkar
\nParty and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
\nPerjuangan).<\/p>\n
Represented are the Crescent Star Party (PBB), the National
\nMandate Party (PAN), the National Awakening Party (PKB), the
\nJustice and Unity Party (PKP), the United Development Party
\n(PPP), Golkar, PDI Perjuangan, the Indonesian Christian National
\nParty (Krisna), the Indonesian Nation's National Party (PNBI),
\nthe People's Sovereignty Party (PDR), the Islamic Community Party
\n(PUI) and PNI-Front Marhaenis.<\/p>\n
Only a few hundred people have attended the campaign of the
\nlatter parties, much fewer than those showing up for the rallies
\nof Golkar and PDI Perjuangan.<\/p>\n
Some youngsters said they were paid about Rp 10,000 each to
\nparticipate, with others saying they enjoyed the meals
\ndistributed during the events.<\/p>\n
Other people in a number of regions said they did not attend
\nthe rallies due to concerns for their safety.<\/p>\n
Another difficulty in drawing crowds is the loss of thousands
\nof migrants, who left East Timor shortly after the government
\nannounced the possibility of the province being separated from
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
Despite a controversy over whether the elections should be
\nheld in East Timor since residents would join in the direct
\nballot, the government said elections should be held there
\nbecause it was still one of the country's province.<\/p>\n
The campaign has been divided into three regions: Region I
\ncomprising Baucau, Lautem, Viqueque and Mantuto.<\/p>\n
Region II covers Dili, Liquica, Aileu, Ermera and Manufahi.<\/p>\n
Region III spans Bobonaro, Ainaro, Kovalima and Ambeno.<\/p>\n
Public response is either enthusiastic or apathetic.<\/p>\n
Secretary of the provincial elections committee, Abdul Hakim
\nsaid 387,837 people registered of the 462,000 eligible voters.<\/p>\n
Some claimed they did not register of their own free will.<\/p>\n
\"We registered because we had to,\" a young man from Bobonaro
\nsaid. Requesting anonymity, he added that when he registered he
\nalso was asked to sign a statement agreeing to the wide-ranging
\nautonomy offered by the government. It is unclear how the
\nstatement would be used.<\/p>\n
\"We were also asked to provide photographs,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Others reported intimidation by armed militia members against
\nanyone thought to have not registered. Some people were
\ninterrogated on why they did not register, a source said.<\/p>\n
Militia members are among those attending rallies, for
\ninstance by the Golkar Party, which has led some people to fear
\nthey will be forced into registering.<\/p>\n
Reports of such intimidation also come from Dili.<\/p>\n
\"We want elections to be over so we could concentrate on the
\ndirect ballot,\" a resident said, referring to the United Nations-
\nsponsored ballot in August to determine whether they will remain
\npart of Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"I would rather register to avoid any risk,\" another said,
\neven if the risk was only \"questioning\" by militia as to why
\npeople refused to register.<\/p>\n
Deputy of the provincial elections committee, Hugo da Costa,
\nsaid the committee has yet to receive any such reports.<\/p>\n
\"We cannot do anything until we receive reports,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Sources asked to present copies of the cards told The Jakarta
\nPost said they were afraid.<\/p>\n
From Bobonaro, sources also said they were told to vote for
\nGolkar.<\/p>\n
\"It was a polite request, but here it is taken as an order,\" a
\nresident said in response to whether there was intimidation
\ninvolved.<\/p>\n
Despite the apparent apathy, East Timor's election committee
\nfinally announced the temporary list of legislative candidates
\nfor the provincial council on Monday.<\/p>\n
Apart from delays being caused by the lack of administrative
\nrequirements of candidates, other reasons were said to include
\nvarious matters related to the province's political situation.<\/p>\n
\"We have managed to convince the General Elections Commission
\nthat these delays are inevitable,\" said the head of the
\nsecretariat at the election committee here, Sjamsu Anwar.<\/p>\n
Golkar names included in the list included prointegration
\ngroup leaders such as Joao da Silva Tavares and Eurico Guterres.<\/p>\n
Tavares also is commander of the prointegration militia of
\nEast Timor, who is representing Bobonaro regency. Guterres, his
\ndeputy commander, is a candidate from Viqueque. Another
\nprointegration leader, Manuel de Sousa, represents Liquica.<\/p>\n
A notable difference compared to past elections is Ambeno
\nregency, where Golkar used to sweep the most votes.<\/p>\n
This time there are no natives of Ambeno listed as candidates.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/intimidation-reported-in-east-timor-poll-registration-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }