Wed, 17 Mar 1999

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)