Court, NGOs to oversee election

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)