This election is no better than previous ones: CSIS<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): This year's general election will be no better
\nthan previous ones, according to a recent report by the Centre
\nfor Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).<\/p>\n
The CSIS study found that the 1997 general election process
\nrelied on the same legislation which was used in past general
\nelections to maintain the status quo.<\/p>\n
The study, which was obtained by The Jakarta Post yesterday,
\nsays that most of its 294 respondents had negative views on the
\nMay 29 election.<\/p>\n
The center found that the quality of the election would be
\npoor because all the laws and state institutions relating to it
\nwere designed to favor Golkar, the government-backed political
\ngrouping.<\/p>\n
The laws allow manipulation and poll rigging, the report says.<\/p>\n
\"These worries have grounds because all the legislative
\ninstruments were formulated by the government.<\/p>\n
\"In real politics, it's clear that almost all government
\nofficials are ex-officio executives of one of the contestants,
\nGolkar,\" the report says.<\/p>\n
The center had surveyed people on their hopes, assessments and
\nexpectations of the general election.<\/p>\n
The respondents, consisting of community leaders, government
\nand military officials and politicians, were surveyed in in-depth
\ninterviews in March in 23 regencies and mayoralties in Java and
\nMadura. The study also sought supplementary public responses
\nthrough the internet.<\/p>\n
The study focused on people's predictions on the quality of
\nthis year's election.<\/p>\n
Respondents said the government used the general election as a
\nmere formality to maintain its legitimacy.<\/p>\n
The study says the 1997 election \"does not give a ray of hope\"
\nfor political reform in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The election is a tool by which politicians from Golkar, the
\nUnited Development Party (PPP) and the Indonesian Democratic
\nParty (PDI) meet their vested interests. The election will not
\nfulfill people's hopes for a better system, the survey report
\nsays.<\/p>\n
Golkar's practically five-year-long campaign in the form of
\n\"cadres meetings\" and PDI's split into two opposing camps will
\ncontribute to the poor quality of the election.<\/p>\n
\"It is not surprising therefore that many people consider the
\ngeneral election is a mere formality and a waste of money,\" the
\nreport says.<\/p>\n
The study concluded that Golkar would increase its absolute
\nmajority and the PPP would gain more seats in the House of
\nRepresentatives at the cost of the PDI.<\/p>\n
The study did not predict how many seats each party would
\nhold.<\/p>\n
Golkar's and PPP's gains are likely to be partly due to the
\nunpopularity of the PDI's government-recognized chief Soerjadi.<\/p>\n
Golkar is expected to do better than it did in 1992 because
\nits has spent five years campaigning for public support in some
\nareas of Central and East Java, which are PPP strongholds.<\/p>\n
Golkar, PPP and PDI will vie for 425 seats in the House of
\nRepresentatives. In 1992, Golkar won 282 seats, PPP 62 and PDI
\n56.<\/p>\n
Golkar aims to win 70.2 percent of the vote on May 29. The PPP
\nwants 22.5 percent. The PDI has no formal targets but Soerjadi
\nonce said he hoped the party would win at least 33 seats in the
\nHouse.<\/p>\n
T.A. Legowo of the CSIS said yesterday that he believed Golkar
\nwould win between 65 percent and 70 percent of the vote. PPP
\ncould enjoy an increase of up to 10 percent while PDI would see
\nits number of votes drop by up to 9 percent.<\/p>\n
The report recommended that the state sincerely try to improve
\nthe quality of general elections so that democracy could develop.<\/p>\n
\"Without sincere efforts to improve elections, political
\nmanipulation will remain,\" the report said.<\/p>\n
J. Kristiadi, also of CSIS, said the Golput call to boycott
\nthe poll would achieve little except help Golkar win more seats.<\/p>\n
Kristiadi said Golput was an urban phenomenon that was
\nunpopular in villages, where local officials make poll abstaining
\nalmost impossible.<\/p>\n
He said those in rural areas do not usually have the
\nabstaining option due to various reasons, including widespread
\nintimidation. \"The villagers are afraid that if they abstain from
\nvoting, they would be accused of being a communist,\" he said.
\n(pan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/this-election-is-no-better-than-previous-ones-csis-1447893297",
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