UNDP pledges to raise $30m for elections<\/p>\n
Arya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The international community has renewed its commitment to
\nensuring democratic elections in Indonesia, with the United
\nNations Development Program (UNDP) agreeing on Friday to raise
\nsome US$30 million in grants from donors to help the cash-
\nstrapped government hold elections in 2004.<\/p>\n
The funds will be channeled into the state budget before being
\ndisbursed to the General Elections Commission (KPU), which is
\norganizing the elections.<\/p>\n
"There are about five to six institutions that have pledged
\ntheir commitment to helping fund the general election.<\/p>\n
"However, only the European Community is willing to be
\nidentified as one of the donors," said Bo Asplund, the UNDP's
\ncountry representative.<\/p>\n
The election law stipulates that the 2004 general election
\nmust be funded by the state and regional budgets only. However,
\nthe government and the KPU have said that any foreign aid would
\nbe legal as long as it was channeled through the state budget.<\/p>\n
Asplund said the UNDP was currently awaiting donors'
\nrecommendations before disbursing the funds.<\/p>\n
KPU chairman Nazaruddin Sjamsuddin, meanwhile, told reporters
\nthat the commission had budgeted some Rp 3.82 trillion (US$429
\nmillion) for the elections. Of this amount, Rp 3.023 trillion
\nwill be used for the general election on April 5 and Rp 800
\nbillion for the two-phased presidential election sometime the
\nfollowing June and August.<\/p>\n
"We gladly welcome the commitment shown by the UNDP in
\ncontributing to our process of democracy," he said.<\/p>\n
The UNDP earlier this year said it would not provide financial
\nassistance to the KPU, but rather would furnish the commission
\nwith technical assistance, such as training KPU employees.<\/p>\n
There has been skepticism that the government would be able to
\nprovide the money needed to hold the elections, while observers
\nworry that any foreign donations could be the source for rampant
\ncorruption, as believed to have occurred in the 1999 elections.<\/p>\n
Asplund said the grants were a commitment of the trust the
\nUNDP has in the government to use the money properly to hold a
\nfair and direct general election.<\/p>\n
The KPU said on Friday it would contract the Association of
\nIndonesian Accountants to ensure accountability in the upcoming
\nelections.<\/p>\n
For the 1999 general election, the UNDP channeled some $90
\nmillion to the government and non-governmental organizations, as
\nwell as providing technical assistance.<\/p>\n
Indonesia will have its first ever direct presidential
\nelection between June and August next year. Some 130 million
\neligible voters are expected to cast their votes.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/undp-pledges-to-raise-30m-for-elections-1447893297",
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