Campaign violators must be punished

The three-week political campaigning period started on Thursday with people wondering if the campaigns would proceed peacefully.

All layers of society must be fully aware that riots or melees during campaigns will benefit nobody, except the instigators.

The General Elections Commission (KPU) has issued rulings on campaigns for the political parties and legislative candidates, as well as for candidates for membership of the Provincial Representatives Council (DPD). Therefore the KPU, at central, provincial and regency levels, should step up its cooperation with local police to monitor the implementation of campaigns.

Law No. 12/2003 was passed to deal with party supporters or officials who violate the rules on campaigning. However, the law will amount to nothing if it is weakly enforced.

Just recall the previous (1999) election when thousands of violations nationwide remained unpunished. Thus we do hope that the KPU, in cooperation with the police and prosecutor's offices, will be tougher on any violators and take the cases to court.

-- Suara Larya, Jakarta