KPU considers compromise on campaigning rule<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The General Elections Commission (KPU) is
\nconsidering exempting Cabinet ministers who chair political
\nparties from its ban on state officials' campaigning for the June
\n7 polls, KPU chairman Rudini said on Friday.<\/p>\n
It would be a face-saving option in the stalemate between KPU
\nand the government, which insists the commission has no authority
\nto bar Cabinet ministers from electioneering.<\/p>\n
President B.J. Habibie referred to the Supreme Court on
\nThursday for a ruling on the issue. He also reportedly met Rudini
\nand Chief Justice Sarwata for a meeting at his residence later in
\nthe day.<\/p>\n
KPU is scheduled to announce modifications to its campaigning
\nrules on Monday. It is likely to impose a similar ban on its own
\nmembers.<\/p>\n
\"The ministers concerned may temporarily be nonactive in the
\ngovernment, and there should be a special dispensation for them
\n(to campaign for their respective parties),\" Rudini said.<\/p>\n
He was referring to Minister\/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung of
\nthe Golkar Party and Minister of Investment Hamzah Haz of the
\nUnited Development Party.<\/p>\n
He insisted the ban should apply to all other state officials.
\nHabibie has barred five of 36 Cabinet ministers from serving
\ntheir party interests in the elections. Most of the ministers are
\nGolkar loyalists.<\/p>\n
\"The problem actually lies with KPU's commitment to facilitate
\na free and fair general election,\" said Rudini, a retired general
\nand former minister of home affairs.<\/p>\n
\"We have to clear all things that could adversely affect the
\nfairness of the election, particularly due to the traumatic
\nexperience stemming from state officials' involvement in the
\ncampaigning.\"<\/p>\n
Fears of malfeasance stem from past campaigns when officials
\n-- ranging from members of the Supreme Advisory Council and
\nSupreme Audit Agency to those in lower administrative levels --
\nblatantly abused state facilities for Golkar's interests, Rudini
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He added that KPU would honor the Supreme Court's decision,
\nbut hoped it would rule in its favor.<\/p>\n
\"The Supreme Court is to study KPU's authority in this
\nmatter... and that's fine with us. We ban the political parties,
\nnot the ministers. So this is not breaching our authority.\"<\/p>\n
On Monday the commission will also rule on several other
\ncrucial matters, including closed-door rallies and a proposed ban
\non mass rallies.<\/p>\n
\"It is likely the mass rallies will be limited to a maximum of
\n10,000 people and held indoors, while street rallies should be
\navoided as much as possible,\" Rudini said.<\/p>\n
Indoor campaigning will enhance communication between
\ncampaigners and their supporters, he added.<\/p>\n
Rudini also disclosed there were only five printing companies
\nin the country with capacity for eight-color simultaneous
\nprinting for ballot sheets.<\/p>\n
\"Each of the five has capacity for only 30 million ballots,
\nthus making a total of 150 million,\" he said.<\/p>\n
For the general election, 400 million ballots will be needed
\nfor the three electoral levels, or roughly 133 million each for
\nthe central, provincial and district levels.<\/p>\n
\"The remaining 250 million ballots will be produced by other
\nprinters possessing capacity for six-color simultaneous printing,
\nwith the other two colors to be added later,\" Rudini said. (edt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kpu-considers-compromise-on-campaigning-rule-1447893297",
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