Electoral candidates urged to cease campaign

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 Please do not publish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.