`KPU needs full support to organize elections'

`KPU needs full support to organize elections'

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A state official and several political analysts have called on
all sides to fully support the General Election Commission (KPU),
instead of questioning its members' commitment, as it undertakes
the task of organizing the 2004 general election.

Daniel Sparingga, a political analyst at the Airlangga
University in Surabaya, East Java, said it was no longer relevant
to doubt the election commission's performance since its 11
members had shown a strong commitment to prepare the general
election, scheduled for the middle of 2004.

"The issue of KPU members' holding down two jobs should not be
blown out of proportion. Instead, we have to support them to
carry out their tasks," Daniel told The Jakarta Post here on
Sunday.

People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais
agreed, adding that cynical comments could prompt KPU members to
quit.

Should KPU members quit, it would delay the elections as the
legislators would have to select new members to replace those
leaving the commission and the recruitment process would
certainly take months, he said.

Amien added that the 11 members of the KPU had passed the test
at the House, therefore the public would have to support them.

A number of legislators have attacked several members of the
KPU who also work as lecturers at universities, saying that those
members who could not give all of their time to the election
commission should resign. The attack was launched following the
election commission's recent criticism against the House, which
was considered to be too slow for deliberating bills.

The KPU has been eagerly awaiting the enactment of four bills
to know what it should do in preparing for the general election
in the next 12 months.

Of the four bills, two of them -- the bills on political
parties and the general election -- have been endorsed, while the
other two on the composition of the MPR, regional
representatives, the House and provincial and regency legislative
bodies are being deliberated by the House.

KPU members have made preparations for the elections over the
past two years. The commission had formed regional branches,
trained people, as well as learned election management overseas.

Under Law No.4/2000 -- a revision to Law No.3/1999 on
elections -- KPU members cannot occupy political or structural
positions.

However, an election bill recently approved by the House
requires that the 11 KPU members work full-time. KPU members are
debating this new ruling.

Jimly Asshiddiqie, a constitutional law expert, suggested that
the public not be too rigid in perceiving this ruling.

He said KPU members, most of whom are lecturers, should be
allowed to teach at colleges. Jimly said that for academicians
teaching was a part of their activities.

Jimly said that KPU members could declare themselves not
active or take an extended leave from their college.