KPU passes controversial internal campaign ruling

KPU passes controversial internal campaign ruling

JAKARTA (JP): The General Elections Commission (KPU), which is
in charge of preparing the June 7 poll, decided on Wednesday to
allow its 53 members and the National Elections Committee (PPI)
to be both party activists and legislators.

KPU chairman Rudini declined to reveal how the ruling was
arrived at and said, "It has been decided that representatives of
political parties in the election commission are allowed to
campaign for their parties and nominate themselves as
legislators... And we should respect this."

Andi Alfian Mallarangeng, a government representative in the
commission, said he was forced to accept the decision, despite
potential conflict of interest, having waged an all-out battle to
bar KPU members from campaigning.

"I believe KPU and PPI members should be barred from
campaigning and becoming legislators. In this way we will ensure
a free and fair general election.

"Subsequent to this decision they would face a conflict of
interest because they would both be referees and players in the
elections," he told The Jakarta Post after the commission's
plenary session here on Wednesday.

Andi revealed the ruling was a response to a threatened
boycott by a majority of party representatives in the commission.

"Government representatives in the commission could not do
anything but bow to the pressure of the party representatives,"
he said.

He conceded, however, the five government representatives --
whose voting power equals that of the 48 party representatives --
could utilize a veto if they wished.

Indria Samego, a political observer from the Indonesian
Institute of Science, has said this is problematic.

It poses a dilemma because it was democratically arrived at
and is therefore impossible to retract, but this ruling would
compromise the neutrality of the commission members and from
carrying out their tasks full time," he said.

PPI Chairman Yacob Tobing, who represents the Indonesian Party
of Struggle, lauded the decision. He said "theoretically" it was
not wrong to allow KPU members to campaign for their parties in
the next campaign season.

"Political parties have sent their representatives to the
election commission in order to fight for their interests and it
is not wrong if they campaign and, become candidates," he said.

Rudini went on to say the election commission has also set up
three sub-commissions to deliberate general planning and
budgeting, organization and legislation, and data evaluation
respectively.

He said the commission on organization and legislation would
deliberate the ruling on campaigns and on so-called money
politics.

"The deliberation on the two rulings is expected to be
completed within three days," he said.

Yacob said his committee was still awaiting political parties
to send in their lists of representatives, before the body set
sup provincial and regional offices.

"We are giving seven days until March 25 to parties to
nominate their representatives, including to provincial and
regional committees," he said.

His deputies are Hasballah of the National Mandate Party
(PAN), Anak Agung Oka Mahendra and Djuhad Mahja of the United
Development Party (PPP) while the PPI secretary is Rasyidi of the
Solidarity for All-Indonesian Workers Party.

The committee comprises 48 people from political parties and
five government representatives. (rms)