Elections committee set up to run polls

Elections committee set up to run polls

JAKARTA (JP): The General Elections Commission (KPU)
established on Tuesday a seven-member National Elections
Committee (PPI) to run the general election scheduled for June 7.

The seven members are Jakob Tobing of PDI of Struggle,
Hasballah of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Djuhad Mahja of
the United Development Party (PPP), Abdy Kusumanegara of the
Ummat Awakening Party (PKU), Sunarka of the Indonesian National
Party (PNI), Kasidi of the Solidarity for All-Indonesian Workers
Party (SPSI) and Anak Agung Oka Mahendra, a government
representative.

Jakob was also elected chairman of the committee, which will
organize the poll at the national level.

Adi Andojo Sutjipto, a member of the KPU, said that according
to the law, the PPI members were selected from members of the
KPU. He also said the selection took place democratically.

"I am proud of the democratic process."

The committee's members and executives will be sworn in by
General Election Commission Chairman Rudini, but no date was
given.

The 1999 law on general elections states that PPI's main tasks
are to establish its offices in provinces, regencies and
mayoralties, to draw up a list of legislative candidates, to run
the elections and to count ballots.

Adi also said the KPU completed on Tuesday deliberations on 25
of the planned 87 rulings on the elections commission and the
elections.

Separately, Rudini said all regulations on electioneering and
campaigning would have to be finished by April 1.

"With the current system (in which 48 parties are contesting
the poll) debates to reach a consensus will be very time
consuming."

"Sanctions for violators of the planned rules will be
determined by the Supreme Court," he added.

The KPU is now handling technical problems relating to the
election, such as the fact that some party logos will be
identical if ballots are printed in black and white.

"The symbol for Masyumi is identical to that of the Crescent
Star Party. But we cannot use color printing because it would
take about 60 days to print. It's too long... black and white
printing only takes 20 days," he said.

Rudini, a former minister of home affairs, also said he
preferred KPU members not join campaigns or become legislators,
citing conflicts of interest.

"KPU members have been assigned a five-year term. They are
paid well and given certain facilities, such as Kijang vans,
offices and other perks," he said.

"It would not be fit during the era of reform for them also to
become legislators. There should be a fair distribution of power
and function among party members."

Erna Witoelar, who is involved in poll monitoring activities,
agrees. She said the distribution of power was a precondition for
a new and democratic Indonesia.

"This is not an era of double or triple positions... because
it will create a concentration of power. My criticism goes to
members of political parties who are also ministers, such as
Akbar Tandjung and other high ranking officials." (edt/rms)