UGM students to monitor general election<\/p>\n
Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta<\/p>\n
Gadjah Mada University (UGM) is planning to replace the
\nobligatory community service program -- which is traditionally
\nundertaken by undergraduate students in their final year -- with
\na program to monitor the 2004 general election, a top UGM
\nofficial has said.<\/p>\n
Gadjah Mada University rector Sofian Effendi said that the
\nplan was made on the possibility that the General Elections
\nCommission (KPU) would call on universities, including UGM, not
\nto run the community service program in rural areas ahead of the
\nelection, for fear that it could fuel tension there.<\/p>\n
UGM, the oldest and largest university in Indonesia, held a
\nsimilar program in the last election in 1999, when it was
\nperceived as a success.<\/p>\n
\"The program will not affect students, because, having
\nparticipated in the election monitoring program, they can still
\nbe awarded the credit and do not need to wait for the traditional
\nprograms after the election is over,\" said Sofian.<\/p>\n
For this election, the program is in phases, namely April 1 to
\nApril 15 for the legislative election and July 1 to July 15 for
\nthe first phase of the presidential election.<\/p>\n
Some 500 students are set to participate in each of the two
\nphases, making a total of about 1,000 students in the program for
\nthe 2004 election. The legislative election will be held on April
\n5, while the presidential election will be held on July 5.<\/p>\n
The election monitoring program, according to Sofian, would be
\nheld in four regencies in Yogyakarta province: Bantul,
\nGunungkidul, Kulonprogo and Sleman. These include a total of 20
\nsubdistricts, 60 villages, 240 hamlets and 240 polling stations
\n(TPS).<\/p>\n
The main activities of the students will include dissemination
\nof the election law, voter education and election
\nmonitoring activities. The first two will be carried out mostly
\nthrough lectures and participatory discussions.<\/p>\n
The main subjects to be focused on will include the
\nelection regulations, the electoral system, voters' rights
\nand obligations, and the elections schedule.<\/p>\n
Voters, especially first-time ones, will be the principal
\ntarget audience of the activities.<\/p>\n
Sofian also said that the participating students would
\nnot be allowed to get involved in any political activities
\nwhile on the program. Anyone found to be thus involved would be
\ndisqualified.<\/p>\n
UGM is now awaiting a license from the KPU, so that it can
\nimmediately proceed with the program.<\/p>\n
Other top universities in Indonesia are planning to follow
\nsuit.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ugm-students-to-monitor-general-election-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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