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.