Intimidation reported in East Timor poll registration

Intimidation reported in East Timor poll registration

By Lourenco Vicente Martins

DILI, East Timor (JP): The campaign here has remained
relatively safe and although flags and banners may be less
plentiful than in other cities across the country, none of the 15
parties here has complained of discrimination.

Particularly lively campaigning has been held by the Golkar
Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
Perjuangan).

Represented are the Crescent Star Party (PBB), the National
Mandate Party (PAN), the National Awakening Party (PKB), the
Justice and Unity Party (PKP), the United Development Party
(PPP), Golkar, PDI Perjuangan, the Indonesian Christian National
Party (Krisna), the Indonesian Nation's National Party (PNBI),
the People's Sovereignty Party (PDR), the Islamic Community Party
(PUI) and PNI-Front Marhaenis.

Only a few hundred people have attended the campaign of the
latter parties, much fewer than those showing up for the rallies
of Golkar and PDI Perjuangan.

Some youngsters said they were paid about Rp 10,000 each to
participate, with others saying they enjoyed the meals
distributed during the events.

Other people in a number of regions said they did not attend
the rallies due to concerns for their safety.

Another difficulty in drawing crowds is the loss of thousands
of migrants, who left East Timor shortly after the government
announced the possibility of the province being separated from
Indonesia.

Despite a controversy over whether the elections should be
held in East Timor since residents would join in the direct
ballot, the government said elections should be held there
because it was still one of the country's province.

The campaign has been divided into three regions: Region I
comprising Baucau, Lautem, Viqueque and Mantuto.

Region II covers Dili, Liquica, Aileu, Ermera and Manufahi.

Region III spans Bobonaro, Ainaro, Kovalima and Ambeno.

Public response is either enthusiastic or apathetic.

Secretary of the provincial elections committee, Abdul Hakim
said 387,837 people registered of the 462,000 eligible voters.

Some claimed they did not register of their own free will.

"We registered because we had to," a young man from Bobonaro
said. Requesting anonymity, he added that when he registered he
also was asked to sign a statement agreeing to the wide-ranging
autonomy offered by the government. It is unclear how the
statement would be used.

"We were also asked to provide photographs," he said.

Others reported intimidation by armed militia members against
anyone thought to have not registered. Some people were
interrogated on why they did not register, a source said.

Militia members are among those attending rallies, for
instance by the Golkar Party, which has led some people to fear
they will be forced into registering.

Reports of such intimidation also come from Dili.

"We want elections to be over so we could concentrate on the
direct ballot," a resident said, referring to the United Nations-
sponsored ballot in August to determine whether they will remain
part of Indonesia.

"I would rather register to avoid any risk," another said,
even if the risk was only "questioning" by militia as to why
people refused to register.

Deputy of the provincial elections committee, Hugo da Costa,
said the committee has yet to receive any such reports.

"We cannot do anything until we receive reports," he said.

Sources asked to present copies of the cards told The Jakarta
Post said they were afraid.

From Bobonaro, sources also said they were told to vote for
Golkar.

"It was a polite request, but here it is taken as an order," a
resident said in response to whether there was intimidation
involved.

Despite the apparent apathy, East Timor's election committee
finally announced the temporary list of legislative candidates
for the provincial council on Monday.

Apart from delays being caused by the lack of administrative
requirements of candidates, other reasons were said to include
various matters related to the province's political situation.

"We have managed to convince the General Elections Commission
that these delays are inevitable," said the head of the
secretariat at the election committee here, Sjamsu Anwar.

Golkar names included in the list included prointegration
group leaders such as Joao da Silva Tavares and Eurico Guterres.

Tavares also is commander of the prointegration militia of
East Timor, who is representing Bobonaro regency. Guterres, his
deputy commander, is a candidate from Viqueque. Another
prointegration leader, Manuel de Sousa, represents Liquica.

A notable difference compared to past elections is Ambeno
regency, where Golkar used to sweep the most votes.

This time there are no natives of Ambeno listed as candidates.