More PPP, PDI involvement in 1997 general election<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M.
\npromised yesterday that the government will involve the two
\nminority parties in the preparation and administration of the
\nupcoming general election in 1997 more than it has in the past.<\/p>\n
Greater involvement by the contestants of the elections, from
\nthe beginning until the end of the process, is expected to lead
\nto a better quality general election, Yogie said addressing the
\nfirst meeting of the National Election Committee.<\/p>\n
The United Development Party (PPP) and the Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party (PDI) have long complained about the way the
\nelections have been administered by the government.<\/p>\n
Although they have been represented on the central and local
\nelection committees in past elections, the two minority parties
\nsaid that irregularities were rampant in the elections, which
\nwere designed to ensure victory for Golkar, the ruling political
\norganization.<\/p>\n
Golkar has won all the five general elections held since 1971.
\nIn the last election in 1992, it polled 68 percent of the total
\nvotes, with PPP coming a distant second with 17 percent and PDI
\nthe remaining 15 percent.<\/p>\n
As if to address their complaints, Yogie yesterday said that
\nall contestants will now be involved in the planning,
\nimplementation and monitoring of the elections, from the national
\nto the district levels.<\/p>\n
He said the government has issued a decree, No. 10\/1995, which
\nstipulates that contestants should be involved in every step of
\nthe election processes.<\/p>\n
Yogie urged members of the election committee to participate
\nmore actively than they have in the past.<\/p>\n
Yogie also chairs the newly established 26-member National
\nElection Committee. Minister of Justice Oetojo Oesman heads the
\ncommittee's advisory board while Attorney General Singgih heads
\nthe monitoring board. All three election contestants are
\nrepresented on the board.<\/p>\n
Election committees at provincial, regency and district levels
\nwill also be formed soon.<\/p>\n
However, the PPP and PDI are likely to have problems
\nrecruiting enough volunteers to represent them on election
\ncommittees in certain districts.<\/p>\n
PDI has another problem in store in East Java, where two
\nopposing camps are contesting the right to represent the party.<\/p>\n
The PDI's election committee seat would be left empty until
\nthe party resolved the dispute, Yogie told reporters after the
\nmeeting.<\/p>\n
Holding the 1997 general election is expected to cost Rp 214
\nbillion ($94 million), Waluyo, the deputy secretary of the
\nnational election committee, told reporters. (imn)<\/p>",
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