Punishment unlikely for errant parties<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Election Supervisory Committee is reluctant
\nto punish political parties that started campaigning early,
\nworried that such a move would spark anger, a committee executive
\nsaid on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Todung Mulya Lubis, deputy chief of the official poll
\nwatchdog, said in his address to political party representatives
\nin Pekanbaru, Riau, on the eve of the campaign period on Tuesday
\nthat there were fears punishments would incite supporters of
\nerrant parties to take revenge.<\/p>\n
\"It's difficult for us to take punitive measures against a
\ncertain party because some people will fall victim,\" said Todung,
\nwho is also coordinator of the University Network for Free and
\nFair Elections, as quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
\"We will think twice before handing down sanctions whether we
\nare fair and using our common sense.\"<\/p>\n
Governor Saleh Jasit was among notable figures who attended
\nthe meeting.<\/p>\n
Early campaigning was a common practice of parties contesting
\nthe June 7 polls, in spite of regulations banning campaigning
\nbefore May 19. Parties gave a range of excuses to defend there
\nactions.<\/p>\n
The General Elections Commission has repeatedly called on the
\nparties to tone down premature campaign activities, particularly
\nafter clashes erupted between rival parties.<\/p>\n
Todung warned, however, that the official election supervisory
\nagency was entitled to ban a party from campaigning if it commits
\nmore serious mistakes.<\/p>\n
\"We are allowed to prematurely call off an electoral campaign
\nif we find a party fails to control its supporters who go on a
\nrampage,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Todung said that the official poll watchdog had yet to start
\ninvestigations into the alleged misuse of social safety net funds
\nby ruling Golkar Party, citing a lack of evidence.<\/p>\n
\"We cannot accuse certain parties of committing money politics
\nif we are short of evidence,\" Todung said, adding, \"There are
\nreports of such violations from people.\"<\/p>\n
In Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, a local poll watchdog, calling
\nitself Forapsi, disclosed a number of violations committed by
\nGolkar cadres at the expense of the Indonesian Democratic Party
\nof Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) and the Democratic People's Party
\n(PRD).<\/p>\n
\"Village and subdistrict heads who link themselves to Golkar
\nhave repeatedly told people that PDI Perjuangan and PRD are
\nsimilar to the now defunct Indonesian Communist Party,\" the
\nreport said.<\/p>\n
It also said the local leaders barred the two parties from
\nentering their jurisdictions. (amd)<\/p>",
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