Zoning system proposed in new campaign rules<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The National Council for Defense and Security
\nsubmitted its proposal for a new set of election campaign rules
\nyesterday, seeking to prevent the violence seen in past campaigns
\nbut without reducing people's participation.<\/p>\n
The new rules will do away with the system of alternating
\ncampaign days for the contestants in any given area, council
\nsecretary-general Lt. Gen. (ret) Soekarto said after presenting
\nthe draft to President Soeharto at Merdeka Palace.<\/p>\n
The authorities will introduce a zoning system to prevent the
\nlikelihood of supporters of different political parties running
\ninto each other, Soekarto said.<\/p>\n
It is then up to the campaign organizers to ensure their
\nsupporters are confined to their designated zones, he said.<\/p>\n
Their ability to regulate their own campaigns will also affect
\ntheir image, he said, stressing that voters would base their
\ndecision on this.<\/p>\n
The zoning system would prevent supporters from holding
\nmotorcades which have often caused massive traffic congestion in
\nlarge cities like Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The proposal seeks to abolish the previous rule of limiting
\ncampaigns to regency towns, he said, adding that if approved,
\nelection contestants could campaign in villages.<\/p>\n
\"They can campaign in the districts, kampongs or even down to
\nsmall neighborhoods.<\/p>\n
They can even choose a remote village if they want to, but
\nthen they might not find enough people there,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He also assured the campaign rules would afford equal
\ntreatment to all three political groups contesting the elections
\n-- Golkar, the United Development Party (PPP) and the Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party (PDI).<\/p>\n
Soekarto stressed that while the new rules would not ban
\nelection rallies, they would emphasize dialog between the
\nelection candidates and voters.<\/p>\n
The council, comprising mainly retired military officers, was
\nasked by President Soeharto in September to draw up a new set of
\ncampaign rules for next year's election, stressing the need to
\nprevent chaos and violence which have marred past election
\ncampaigns.<\/p>\n
Soekarto said the council had consulted all three political
\ngroups, as well as scholars, government officials and experts, in
\ndrafting the new rules. He expressed confidence the proposal had
\nthe support of all the three political groups.<\/p>\n
It is now up to President Soeharto on whether to adopt the
\nproposal, which would come either in the form of a government
\nregulation or a presidential decree, he said, adding that he
\nexpected this to happen soon.<\/p>\n
The council is also proposing to extend the campaign period
\nfrom 25 to 27 days, and shorten the \"cooling off\" period from
\nseven to five days before the polling day.<\/p>\n
The National Election Institute has tentatively set the
\ncampaign period from April 29 to May 23. The date for voting will
\nbe made by presidential decree, but it is expected at the end of
\nMay.<\/p>\n
Soekarto stressed the campaign rules would be considered
\nsuccessful if they did not stifle people's enthusiasm in taking
\npart in the election campaigns, but at the same time ensured
\norder. (imn)<\/p>\n
PPP -- Page 2<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/zoning-system-proposed-in-new-campaign-rules-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }