Public shows little interest in Panwaslu candidates<\/p>\n
Arya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The public has shown no interest in the 22 candidates for the
\nElections Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu), the General Elections
\nCommission (KPU) announced on Monday.<\/p>\n
Up until Wednesday, the last day the public had to scrutinize
\nthe candidates' background, no public comments or opinions about
\nthe nominees had been submitted to KPU's public relations office.<\/p>\n
KPU member Mulyana W. Kusuma attributed the public's mute
\nresponse to their unfamiliarity with the whole election process,
\nbut some have pointed to KPU's failure to provide any information
\nabout the candidates when they were announced on Monday.<\/p>\n
Some observers have said the commission only revealed the
\ncandidates' names, making it impossible for the public to submit
\nany comments or opinions about their nomination.<\/p>\n
There has also been criticism directed at KPU's poor
\nperformance in publicizing the 2004 general election as the
\npublic is unaware of what is expected of them, and that has
\nhampered the preparation process.<\/p>\n
\"This is the first time we have introduced the names of all
\nthe nominees to the public, unlike in 1999. My assumption is that
\nthe public is not used to this practice,\" said Mulyana.<\/p>\n
He added that the public was unaware of the importance of
\nscrutinizing candidates vying to be members of the supervisory
\ncommittee as the institution is viewed as being less instrumental
\nat having any direct impact on the public.<\/p>\n
\"The supervisory committee is not like the House of
\nRepresentatives, which receives a lot of exposure and attention,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
KPU will carry out a fit and proper test on 22 candidates to
\nelect six members for the supervisory jobs on Thursday at 9 a.m.
\nThe results will be announced on Saturday, April 19.<\/p>\n
The six elected members will consist of one member from the
\nmedia, two from the academic community and three from the general
\npublic. KPU will appoint two members from the National Police and
\none from the Attorney General's Office to come up with a total of
\nnine members to form the supervisory committee.<\/p>\n
The supervisory committee is an independent body that will
\nmonitor the entire 2004 general election, including the ballot
\ncounting.<\/p>\n
Indonesia is due to have its first ever direct general
\nelections next year, starting with the legislative election on
\nApril 5. The two-phased presidential election will follow between
\nJune and August 2004.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/public-shows-little-interest-in-panwaslu-candidates-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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