Ban on Megawati has little effect

Ban on Megawati has little effect

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A ban imposed on incumbent President Megawati Soekarnoputri and
running mate Hasyim Muzadi from holding further outdoor rallies
in Bali will not affect their campaign on the island.

The Bali General Elections Commission (KPUD) said on Thursday
the restriction was now considered void as the pair were not
scheduled to appear in outdoor rallies on the resort island after
June 14, the day when the ban was applied.

KPUD chairman Anak Agung Gede Oka Wisnu Murti said after a
meeting with KPU member Hamid Awaluddin here, the Megawati team
had organized outdoor rallies on designated dates between 9 June
and 14 June.

"Afterwards, they will be given the freedom to hold other
types of campaigns until July 1," he said.

The KPUD chairman had come to Jakarta to present evidence the
Megawati campaign was in breach of election regulations by
involving state officials in recent Bali rallies.

Among the evidence he presented was an invitation from the
Balinese People's Movement (Garba) to local government officials
to attend the rally. Garba organized the ticket's last
legislative election campaign in Bali. Agung also presented a
written statement from the local General Elections Supervisory
Committee (Panwaslu), recommending the candidates should be
penalized.

Earlier, KPU member Mulyana W. Kusumah said the Bali KPUD had
failed to follow proper procedures in imposing the ban and
insisted it be revoked.

He said the campaign did not cause a disturbance, which would
have warranted a ban, and nobody from rival campaign teams had
filed complaints about the outdoor rally.

Hamid, meanwhile, said the Bali KPUD had complied with the
campaign regulations and said the KPU had never lifted the
restriction.

However, he admitted the ban would now not have to be imposed.