The election agenda<\/p>\n
With Monday's announcement of the campaign and voting schedule
\nfor the June general election, this country's first truly free
\nelection in 44 years -- and only the second in the republic's 54
\nyears of existence -- is a step closer to becoming reality.<\/p>\n
As might be expected given heavy pressure in terms of time
\navailable and political acceptability, it is an exceptionally
\ntight schedule, and one bound to invite criticism on several of
\nits points. Which is not to mention that there are enough people
\nin our community who reject outright the very idea of the current
\ngovernment of President B.J. Habibie -- which they regard as
\nconstitutionally illegitimate, or transitional at best --
\nconducting a general election.<\/p>\n
Some hurdles may have to be overcome right from the start of
\nthe planned timetable regarding registration and selection of
\npolitical parties eligible to contest the election -- a month-
\nlong process that should have begun, theoretically, on Feb. 1 and
\nend on March 1.<\/p>\n
With only 30 of the almost 200 political parties expected to
\nbe eligible, it is easy to perceive the difficulty officials will
\nhave in explaining the decision to those parties ultimately left
\nout. In anticipating this snag, the authorities have proposed
\nappointing a team of 11 \"independent\" judges of impeccable
\npersonal and political integrity to do the selecting. All the
\nsame, it is a critical process with the potential to stir up
\ntensions at a time when calm and judgmatic thinking is needed.<\/p>\n
Voter registration is a second point on the agenda that could
\ncause problems, turnout problems in particular. Because of the
\ntime shortage, officials will not be making house-to-house calls,
\nas was the practice in previous elections, to compile names of
\neligible voters. Instead, it is the voters themselves who are
\nexpected to visit registration posts to enter their names, and
\npolitical parties are advised to urge potential voters to follow
\nthe procedure. While this could possibly reduce the chance of
\ncheating by partisan officials through the adding or omitting of
\nnames, it remains questionable how the vast majority of
\nIndonesians, unused to this kind of procedure, will respond.<\/p>\n
Many ordinary citizens no doubt welcome the authorities'
\ndecision to discourage, or even ban, street rallies during the
\ncampaign and encourage indoor gatherings instead. How effective
\nsuch indoor, dialog-type rallies can be in this country at this
\ntime remains to be seen. In any event, even the authorities admit
\nthat it will be difficult to prevent bands of campaigners from
\nroaming through the streets while moving from one location to
\nanother. Even with \"only\" 30 parties participating, the campaign
\nperiod, from May 18 to June 6, will be loaded with the potential
\nfor conflict. Since trouble at this stage could easily endanger
\nthe whole election process, the task of maintaining public order
\nat this time must rest not with the security officials alone, but
\nwith the community as a whole.<\/p>\n
Although not all may concur, it is generally agreed that the
\nJune 7 general election provides the best, if not the only,
\nchance to bring a peaceful end to the crisis that has crippled
\nthis nation for more than a year. While difficulties involved in
\nthe implementation of the election agenda could seriously affect
\nthe poll outcome, any remaining loopholes in the newly passed
\npolitical laws which could foil the process of democratization
\nwould be sure to have long-term political effects on the nation.<\/p>\n
With no intention to be partial, it is a pity to note that so
\nfar little action has been evident from newly established
\npolitical parties -- with the possible exception of Amien Rais'
\nNational Mandate Party -- to try to correct any remaining
\nshortcomings in those laws and procedures. For those who have not
\nsufficiently aired their aspirations, the coming weeks may
\nprovide a last chance to put in order whatever loose ends remain.<\/p>",
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