Quick-trial system sought for election violations<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Election Supervisory Committee has urged
\nthat district courts provide a quick trial system to expedite the
\nhandling of various poll violations across the country.<\/p>\n
\"The Supreme Court earlier issued a letter to all district
\ncourts to form a special board assigned to handle all poll
\nviolations in a prompt manner,\" the committee's deputy chairman,
\nTodung Mulya Lubis, said on Monday.<\/p>\n
It will be a means to treat the growing incidence of
\nviolations committed by political parties, party members and
\nsupporters in the past two campaign rounds, Todung said.<\/p>\n
He complained the official supervisory committee lacked
\nauthority to act against violations. The committee and poll watch
\nnetworks have separately reported various violations, ranging
\nfrom violence during rallies to traffic violations.<\/p>\n
\"Quick legal treatment by every district court is needed to
\nteach political parties' breaching the rules because the
\ncommittee itself cannot disqualify the parties from campaigning,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
\"According to the rules, only the Supreme Court (MA) has the
\nauthority to do so, on the committee's recommendation.\"<\/p>\n
The committee announced on Monday an increased number of poll
\nviolations in the second round of campaigning, but admitted that
\nnone of the parties were sanctioned.<\/p>\n
\"In Pekalongan, Central Java, for instance, the local election
\nsupervisory committee has recommended that the United Development
\nParty (PPP) and the National Awakening Party (PKB) be
\ndisqualified from campaigning to avoid further conflicts.<\/p>\n
\"Clashes have occurred between both parties' followers several
\ntimes. But the call (to stop campaigning) has first to be
\napproved by the Supreme Court,\" Todung explained.<\/p>\n
The committee's reports revealed there were provocateurs
\ninfiltrating both the PPP and the PKB in Pekalongan, including
\nunidentified people in black suits who were seen vandalizing 23
\nhouses. At least 11 were injured in last week's fray.<\/p>\n
The Independent Election Monitoring Committee (KIPP)
\nseparately called for firm action against parties which committed
\nviolence and other poll violations.<\/p>\n
KIPP secretary-general Mulyana Kusumah emphasized the need for
\npublic auditing of political parties. The parties' financial
\nreports should be delivered to the poll organizers at the most 15
\ndays before the elections and 30 days after the polls.<\/p>\n
In the Maluku capital of Ambon the Indonesian Democratic Party
\nof Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) apologized to the public after its
\nsupporters infringed on an agreement to halt campaigning during
\nBuddha's Day of Enlightenment on Sunday.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Environmental Forum (Walhi), which is also
\ninvolved in monitoring polls, reported \"money politics\" such as
\nin West Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, through unequal distribution
\nof farming loans which have been claimed by a political party.<\/p>\n
Walhi also reported that in Sungai Tengah, South Kalimantan,
\nresidents were given Rp 5,000 each to participate in the Golkar
\ncampaign. (edt\/49)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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