Accreditation body for poll watchers formed

JAKARTA (JP): The General Elections Commission (KPU) formed on Thursday a committee to accredit foreign and domestic poll observers, KPU chairman Rudini said.

"We welcome all poll watchers to observe the poll... but they must abide by KPU rules and international standards to avoid possible disputes," Rudini said after meeting with former United States president Jimmy Carter.

Carter is leading a group of international poll observers comprising 70 representatives from several countries. The group will arrive in Indonesia a few days ahead of the polls, slated for June 7.

The commission's decree governing the Accreditation Committee of Foreign and Domestic Poll Observers in Indonesia stipulates that all poll observers must register with the committee.

Rudini said registration was required so the committee could verify the capacity of poll observers. The committee will check, among others things, whether poll observers are nonpartisan and qualified to monitor the polls.

The committee also will brief poll observers before monitoring activities begin.

The accreditation committee comprises 37 members from several institutions, including the KPU, the Ministries of Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs, and Information, the Directorate General of Immigration and the Armed Forces Intelligence Agency.

Nineteen committee members will monitor foreign poll observers while 18 members will monitor domestic poll observers.

I Wayan Lasia, KPU spokesman, said the committee was scheduled to work from April 5 to July 17.

The committee also will assist poll observers visiting regions across the country. The committee will report the results of its monitoring activities to the KPU chairman.

The committee's daily activities will be coordinated under subcommission D of the KPU on interinstitution relations.

"We also plan to set up a media center supported by the United Nations Development Program so foreign and domestic journalists can gain access to poll information as quickly as possible," Rudini said.

KPU also is considering using Bank Rakyat Indonesia's online network to process the results of balloting in the general election because the bank has branches in regencies across the country.

Rudini also slammed media reports that KPU members proposed giving Rp 1 billion to each political party contesting the poll, saying such a proposal was up to the government, based on the availability of funds in the state budget.

"The rule is that each political party will receive a Rp 150 million government subsidy," he said referring to past election practices.

KPU deputy chairman Adnan Buyung Nasution said he doubted the government could afford to give each of the 48 poll contestants Rp 1 billion because of the economic crisis.

Separately, chairman of United Development Party (PPP) Hamzah Haz said after closing PPP's leadership meeting on Thursday that the House of Representatives also must be involved in determining the amount each poll contestant will receive because it involves the state budget.

Chairman of the National Mandate Party Amien Rais said on Friday that parties should raise their own money rather than "bow to the status quo" to receive money. He added that Rp 1 billion was not enough to support the some 300 party branches each poll contestant must have.

"Better look for contributions from party members... or other creative, legal businesses to raise funds," he said.

Parties are not allowed to receive funds from overseas, contributions of more than Rp 15 million per year from any one individual or more than Rp 150 million a year from any one company or institution. (edt)