Committee looks into early campaigning

Committee looks into early campaigning

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Southeast Sulawesi's Elections
Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) has been investigating since
January alleged early campaigning by seven candidates for the
Regional Representative Council (DPD).

As of Tuesday, all seven of the candidates had been
questioned. The seven were identified as Hayani Imbu, Yokohama
Sinapoy, La Ode Mizani, Husen Taliasa, La Ode Ida, Andi Muhammad
Thamrin and Arsyad Abdullah.

"After the investigation, we found the seven guilty of early
campaigning," said Tibe Hafid, chairman of Southeast Sulawesi's
Panwaslu.

Campaigning for the DPD officially begins on March 11.

Tibe said the seven candidates were found to have handed out
posters, stickers and calendars bearing their photographs, which
is seen as a form of campaigning.

Although they violated the elections law, Panwaslu will not
file a complaint with the police, opting instead simply to
reprimand the guilty parties.

"They have signed statements promising not to violate the law
again. If there are anymore violations, we will report them to
the police," Tibe said. -- JP