Election idea called impractical

Election idea called impractical

SEMARANG (JP): A proposal to have the country's political
parties administer general elections instead of the government
was cast aside by two political experts.

While neither Amien Rais of Gadjah Mada University nor Purwoko
of Diponegoro University oppose the proposal, which was made by
Gen. (ret.) Abdul Harris Nasution during a lecture in Jakarta
last week, both believe it to be impractical.

The proposal of Nasution, Indonesia's oldest living Army
officer, has widened the ongoing debate between politicians and
experts on how to make the 1997 general election more democratic.

Amien, who also chairs the influential Moslem organization
Muhammadiyah, pointed out that running general elections requires
major funding and efficient organization which no private
institution in the country can provide.

He suggested instead the establishment of an independent
election monitoring committee, whose results could be compared
with the committee set up by the government.

"Granted, this is not the ideal, but if the independent
committee were filled with people of high integrity,
unquestionable honesty and a commitment to the people, then we
could expect an honest and fair election," he said.

There are bound to be shortcomings in any election, but this
is a common problem found in most other developing countries, he
said.

Meanwhile, Purwoko said Nasution's proposal could only be
implemented if the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) reformed
the 1985 election law, which empowers the President and the
government to prepare and administer elections.

However, he questioned the MPR's ability to change the law in
time for the 1997 election. "Maybe the election after that, but
not this one," he said.

Like Amien, Purwoko suggested that an independent election
monitoring committee be set up to correct the shortcomings of the
current election system. (har/emb)