Electoral candidates urged to cease campaign

M. Taufiqurrahman, Jakarta

On the eve of the cooling-off period ahead of the presidential election, the Election Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) called on all parties involved in the July 5 polls to exercise restraint during the three-day break.

The official election watchdog addressed its message to electoral candidates, pollsters and the media, warning them against conducting any activities that could meddle with voters' preferences.

The month-long campaign period concluded on Thursday. After a three-day pause, 155 million voters will cast their ballots on Monday at over 574,600 polling stations across the country in a landmark direct presidential election.

"All must contribute to creating a tranquil period, so that voters can ponder which presidential and vice presidential candidates they will elect," Panwaslu member Didik Supriyanto told a press briefing here.

The committee strongly cautioned voters over possible vote- buying attempts that could take place during the cooling-off period.

"Please report to local Panwaslu officials if voters find campaign team members making promises of financial gain in return for their votes," Didik said.

Vote-buying carries a maximum one-year jail term and a Rp 10 million (US$1,063) fine under Law No. 23/2003 on presidential elections.

The Panwaslu also warned candidates still serving terms as state officials against traveling around the country under the guise of state visits.

"Please avoid officiating state projects, giving instructions or meeting with civil servants during the cooling-off period. Thirty days of campaigning is more than enough," Didik said.

Didik also called on pollsters not to publish their survey findings during the period, saying it could influence voters.

"The same is true for all media. Please do not publish findings of the pollsters during the period," he said.