Court, NGOs to oversee election

JAKARTA (JP): The government has promised to include the Supreme Court and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in supervising the general elections, scheduled for next year, to ensure the polls proceed fairly and honestly.

Antara quoted Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid as saying "independent watchdogs" were needed so the "festival of democracy" could be held in a manner which adhered to the principles of "direct, free, confidential, honest and fair" elections.

"The next election supervisors are expected to be more independent," Syarwan said before he addressed a meeting of vice governors here yesterday.

The election monitoring body will no longer be called General Elections Institute, but the Committee for General Elections, and it will be staffed by representatives from the contesting political parties.

The monitoring committee will be in charge of investigating any allegations of cheating or violations of the expected new electoral laws.

"For instance, no member of a political party should belong to another party. Erring parties must be reprimanded. This election monitoring committee will also be able to recommend suspension of 'errant' political parties," Syarwan said.

He also said the new electoral laws -- currently being prepared by the ministry -- would reduce the role of the home affairs ministry in the organization of general elections. The laws will also ensure the government would not be able to interfere and influence election results.

Syarwan said he hoped the draft laws on general elections and other political matters would soon be completed and brought for deliberation to the House of Representatives.

The regime of former president Soeharto banned NGOs from monitoring the general elections, and made sure that only loyalists had access to the organization of the polls, which were often marred by vote-rigging. (swe)