Toward better elections<\/p>\n
The United Development Party (PPP) hopes the upcoming general
\nelections will be of higher quality than those held previously.
\nThis aspiration was detected from the political statement issued
\nby the party at the closing of its leadership conference a few
\ndays ago.<\/p>\n
The PPP's critical statement actually comes as no surprise.
\nThe critical stance evident within the party's recent leadership
\nconference was merely an extension of the critical attitude which
\nthe party has shown over the past three years regarding the way
\nin which our general elections are held. Furthermore, the same
\ncritical attitude has been on the rise in our society since 1994.<\/p>\n
In this context, the PPP statement represents two particular
\ndevelopments that are taking place prior to this year's
\nelections. First, positive development is occurring in our
\nsociety in the form of the rise of a growing political awareness
\nand political savvy. The presence of an increasingly conscious
\nand intelligent populace could be the prime factor that
\ndistinguishes this year's general elections from previous ones.<\/p>\n
Second, it signals the rise of a positive phenomenon within
\nthe PPP -- and perhaps in other election contestants, too --
\nwhich is to better accommodate the growing awareness, the
\nincreasing savvy and the critical attitude that exists in our
\nsociety. In this year's elections the contestants are expected to
\nbe not merely producers of political slogans and promises, but
\nrather of concrete and realistic programs that are increasingly
\noriented towards the interests and the well-being of the people
\nas a whole.<\/p>\n
These two phenomena -- assuming that they are proven true and
\nare materialized -- will signal the strengthening desire for
\nbetter elections in 1997. They will also indicate the presence of
\na society that is increasingly aware that general elections are
\nnot merely means for obtaining legitimacy for power, but rather
\nfor establishing a representative government and for exercising
\npeople's sovereignty.<\/p>\n
-- Republika, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/toward-better-elections-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }