KPU opts to print 400m color ballot sheets<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): To avoid voter confusion between party logos,
\nthe General Elections Commission (KPU) decided on Thursday to
\ncolor print the 400 million ballot papers containing 48 party
\nlogos.<\/p>\n
The decision was made after consulting with a number of local
\npublishing houses and after consideration of proposals from
\npolitical parties, KPU chairman Rudini said, after the
\ncommission's plenary session.<\/p>\n
\"Local publishing houses have confirmed their ability to print
\nthe large number of colorful papers and (their ability to)
\ncomplete printing within 20 days,\" Rudini said.<\/p>\n
He earlier argued that the printing of colored ballots would
\ntake at least 60 days, too late for the elections slated for June
\n7.<\/p>\n
Rudini said on Thursday ballot papers will be distributed on
\nMay 1 to ballot locations across the country and Indonesian
\nembassies overseas.<\/p>\n
He said almost all political parties had protested the
\nelections commission plan to print the ballot papers in
\nblack-and-white.<\/p>\n
Similar logos include those of the United Believers Awakening
\nParty (PKU), Nahdlatul Umat Party (PNU) and the National
\nAwakening Party (PKB).<\/p>\n
All three incorporate the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Muslim
\norganization's picture into their logo. Many of their supporters
\nare NU members.<\/p>\n
A representation of a bull has been adopted by the Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party (PDI), the Indonesian Democratic Party for
\nStruggle (PDI Perjuangan), the Indonesian National Party (PNI),
\nthe Front Marhaenist (PNI) and the Indonesian National Party --
\nMarhaen (PNI).<\/p>\n
The star and crescent symbol feature in several of the Muslim-
\noriented parties.<\/p>\n
The number of prospective voters for the elections is expected
\nto reach 140 million.<\/p>\n
Rudini, also a member of the board of advisors of the
\nDeliberation, Work and Cooperation Party (MKGR), said the
\nelections commission decided to print white ballot papers for
\nHouse of Representatives' (DPR) seats, pink ones for provincial
\nlegislature seats and dark gray ballots for regional legislature
\npositions.<\/p>\n
\"The front of the ballot papers will contain election
\ncontestants' logos, with the opposite side showing the
\nlegislative levels,\" Rudini said.<\/p>\n
To avoid confusion, the 48 poll contestants' logos would be
\nnumbered to correspond with numbers acquired in an earlier
\nlottery, he said.<\/p>\n
Rudini declined to reveal the printing costs, which will be
\ncovered by the Japanese government.<\/p>\n
He also said the elections commission would request help from
\nsecurity authorities to prevent ballot papers from being stolen
\nand manipulated. In past elections, loss and manipulation of
\nballot papers was widely reported. (rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kpu-opts-to-print-400m-color-ballot-sheets-1447893297",
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